BX 9417 .H25 v. 6
Harbaugh, Henry, 1817-1867
The fathers of the German
Reformed Church in Europe
THE
FATHERS
FjEPOI^MED (sHUr^GH
EUROPE AND AMERICA
REV. H. HARBAUGH, D. D.,
Author of the '"''Sainted Dead,"' '"''Heavenly Recognition,'''' ''''Heavenly
Home,''^ ^'Birds of the Bible,^^ '^Union With the Church,"' '"''Life
of Michael Schlatter,^'' and '"Golden Censer,''^
AND
REV. D. Y/'HEISLER, D. D.,
Author of the '"' Wreathed Cross,'''' ""Gift-Book for the Million,'''' etc.
*'Like the tower of Davi<l builded for an armoury, whereon there hang a
thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men." — SONG OF Solomon iv. 4.
EDITED BY
REV. WM. M. DEATRICK, D. D.,
President of the Society for the Relief of Ministers and their Widows.
VOLUME VI.
READING, PA.:
DANIEL MILLER, PUBLISHER.
1888.
COPYRIGHT, 1888, BY
DANIEL MILLER.
TO THE
WIDOWED COMPANIONS
AND
FATHERLESS CHILDREN
OF OUB
DECEASED MINISTERS,
THIS VOLUME,
WITH WHATEVER MAY BE REALIZED FROM ITS PUBLIOATION,
IS
AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED
BY THE
SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF MINISTERS AND THEIR WIDOWS.
PKEFACE.
In the Providence of God, the Rev. Dr. Heisler was not
spared to complete the present volume of the " Fathers," be-
gun by him, but has himself been numbered among them.
And the pleasant task, as he was pleased to term the prepar-
ation of "these sad memorials of our sainted brethren," has
fallen to the lot of another, the labor of completing and
issuing the work having devolved upon the undersigned.
An unusually large number of the ministers of the Re-
formed Church in the United States have been removed by
the hand of death in the first eight months of 1888. With
one exception, all were aged men, who were well advanced
in years when called from the labors and trials of the
Church militant to the rest and joys of the Church trium-
phant. Six of the eleven thus taken away had been hon-
ored with the title of Doctor of Divinity, indicating that
they had been prominent in the service and affairs of our
Church. Among this number is found the name of him,
who for many years, by appointment of the Church, had
charge of preparing sketches or short memoirs of the Fa-
thers of the Reformed Church, who had fallen asleep in
the Lord, and issuing them in volumes 3, 4 and 5 of Lives
of the Fathers of the Reformed Church. After preparing,
as he supposed, matter suificient to form the present vol-
ume of the series, he commenced to write the preface to
the volume, but after penning the word Preface, he laid
down his pen, never to take it up again and finish what he
had designed saying in it.
VI PREFACE.
The editing and publishing of the volume, as well as
preparing some of the sketches and writing the preface,
hence necessarily devolved upon others, if performed at all.
Therefore, it may not be amiss to state in this connection,
how the undersigned became associated with it. Two or
three months after the death of the Rev. Dr. Heisler, a
ministerial brother learned, whilst visiting the bereaved
family, that most of the matter forming the present volume
had been prepared by the deceased, and that he had in-
tended issuing the work at no very distant day, had his
life been prolonged. This friend suggested to Mrs. Heisler,
that the manuscript should be given to the Society for the
Relief of Ministers and their Widows of the Reformed
Church for publication, to which Dr. Heisler generously
gave whatever might be realized from the publication of
volumes 4 and 5. Mrs. Heisler readily and cheerfully
acquiesced in the suggestion, and, at her request, he wrote
to the President of the Society, stating the facts and cir-
cumstances connected with the offer. Upon correspondence
with Mrs. Heisler, she made the definite proposition to pre-
sent the manuscript to the Society, the volume to be pub-
lished under the direction and supervision of the Society,
and whatever might be realized from its publication was to
go into its treasury for the relief of needy, disabled min-
isters and the dependent widows of ministers of the Re-
formed Church. In addition, she proposed very generously
to make a donation of four hundred dollars to the Society,
the principal to be funded and the interest to be used from
year to year for the current needs of the Society.
Hence it became necessary to have a meeting of the So-
ciety to consider and act on the proposition. Accordingly
a special meeting was called to convene in the Reformed
church of Union Bridge, Md., on the 31st of last May,
where and when it was known that a large number of the
PREFACE. VII
members of the Society would be in attendance upon the
annual sessions of the Maryland Classis, to consider and
accept or reject the offer. The meeting was held, and after
due consideration the offer was accepted, and the under-
signed as President of the Society was appointed to super-
vise and attend to the publication of the volume.
Elder Daniel Miller, printer and publisher, of Reading,
Pa., very kindly agreed to print and publish the volume
for the Society, and at his own risk, provided the Society
would take three hundred copies at a stipulated price, the
profits on which go to the benefit of our treasury, and be-
sides pledged himself to pay to the Society a liberal sum of
copy money on all copies sold by himself. His proposition
was duly accepted, and subscriptions were at once taken at
the Union Bridge meeting to meet our part of the contract.
At the recent annual meeting of the Synod of the Potomac,
held at Woodstock, Va., additional subscriptions were
taken to fulfill the agreement with the publisher, and com-
mittees were appointed in the several Classes by the Society
to assist the President of the Society in the completion of
the undertaking.
When the sketches came into our hands, it was learned
that when about half of them had been revised and pre-
pared for the printer, the work had been laid aside and
not resumed. The remaining sketches needed very little
revising, which was attended to, and all sent to the printer.
A sketch of the life and labors of the Rev. Dr. J. W. Nevin
had not been prepared, and consequently was lacking. To
issue the volume without one, was deemed unsatisfactory.
A comparatively brief sketch was accordingly prepared from
the abundant material at hand, knowing that a work of con-
siderable extent on "The Life and Times of the Rev. John
Williamson Nevin, D. D., LL. D.," was being written and
prepared for publication by the Rev. Theodore Appel, D.
YIII PREFACE.
D. It was also understood from the start, that a sketch or
memoir of the Rev. Dr. Heisler was to close the volume.
It was, moreover, supposed that the sketches prepared by
his hand, aud coming down to the end of 1887, with the
exception of that of the Rev. Jonas Michael, would prove
ample to make a volume of the usual size of the series.
But as the printer progressed with his work, this was
found to be a mistake, and sketches of the Rev. Dr. J. H.
Good and the Rev. Dr. M. Kieffer had to be somewhat
hurriedly prepared, thus bringing it down fully to the time
of the death of the Rev. Dr. Heisler. A sketch of Dr.
Heisler was furnished by an intimate friend of the deceased,
but owing to its great length, its autobiographical cast, with
other defects, it had to be recast and rewritten. All the
sketches not prepared by Dr. Heisler, but by the under-
signed, are marked by the initials of the writer.
Whilst the early volumes of the series were published
at S1.75 per volume, and the later ones at $1.50, the pres-
ent one is issued at $1.25, hoping thereby to largely in-
crease its circulation.
With the sincere hope and earnest prayer that the peru-
sal of these sketches and memoirs of our dear sainted breth-
ren in the Lord may be blessed to all our readers, we sub-
mit them to the blessing of God and the charitable judg-
ment of our brethren in Christ. May the blessing of the
Great Head of the Church accompany them, and render
them useful and edifying, and " unto Him that loved us,
and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath
made us kings and priests unto God and His Father, to
Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."
WM. M. DEATRICK, President
of the Society for the Relief of Ministers and
their Widows.
Mercersburg, Pa., November, 1888.
CONTENTS
Samuel R. Fisher, D. D.,
Frederick Wahl,
William Gilpin,
Jacob M. Lefevre,
Wm. F. Colliflower,
Henry K. Zink,
Daniel Gring,
Adolph B. Caspar,
John S. Stoner,
Joseph B. Thompson,
John A. Nicholai,
Paul J. Ruetenik,
J. Samuel Vandersloot,
Jacob Weaver,
Charles Cast,
Henry A. Friedel,
Andrew J. Whitmore,
Christian Keller,
Henry S. Bassler,
Joseph Hannabery,
David M. Whitmore,
Samuel B. Leiter, D. D.,
Peter Tendick,
John Pence,
Page 15
26
30
34
39
43
47
54
61
66
69
71
76
80
85
90
95
101
106
114
123
129
134
137
CONTENTS
Hiran Shaull,
Dietrich Willers, D. D.,
Henry Miller,
W. F. P. Davis,
Gerhard H. Zumpe,
Chas. H. Leinbach, D. D.,
Jacob Orth,
Mortimer L. Shuford,
Josiah J. Pennepacker,
John B. Ruhl, .
Jesse B. Knipe,
Lewis C. Herman,
John C. Henneman,
Daniel Zimmerman,
Henry King,
John G. Fritchey,
Austin Henry,
David Winters, D. D.,
John Eichin,
Isaac G. Brown,
John Ruhl
John J. Bossard, Ph. D.,
John K. Millett,
John T. Kluge,
John Blsetgen,
John Gring,
John Meckley,
John W. Nevin, D. D., LL.D.
Andrew J. Bowers,
John C. Young,
William T. Gerhard,
143
151
168
175
181
184
194
197
207
212
216
222
225
229
232
238
246
254
269
273
280
287
294
302
307
312
317
322
332
336
341
CONTENTS.
XI
Jacob Klingler, ....
347
Jacob D. ZehriDg,
. 351
Henry Keller, ....
355
Thomas S. Johnston, D. D.,
. 359
Morris Z. Hittel, ....
363
Geo. H. Martin, D. D.,
. 368
Albert G. Dole, ....
373
Jonas Michael, ....
. 378
Jeremiah H. Good, D. D., .
381
Moses KiefFer, D. D., . . .
. 391
Daniel Y. Heisler, D. D., .
401
THE FATHERS
OF THE
REFORMED CHURCH
IN
AMERICA.
THE FATHERS
OF THE
REFORMED CHURCH.
REV. SAMUEL REED FISHER, D. D.
1810—1881.
The life of Dr. Fisher — a gifted man and an earnest
worker in the kingdom of God — is fraught with deep
and thriHing interest. From his earliest childhood, up
to an advanced age, he alwaysexhibited that same active
and stirring spirit, and manifested that unflagging zeal,
which were so strikingly characteristic of the good man
and of his eventful life and history. Few men can
show a better record than the subject of this brief memoir.
Dr. Fisher's remote ancestors, we are told, came from
the Palatinate, in Germany, about the middle of the
eighteenth century, and settled in Montgomery county,
Pa. His paternal grandfather, George Fisher, was a
soldier in the War of Independence, and his maternal
grandfather, Jacob Reed, was a lieutenant-colonel of the
Pennsylvania militia, rendering service in the battles of
Trenton, Germantown and Brandywine. His parents,
16 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
at an early period, settled in Norristown, when the fa-
ther became high sheriff of the county.*
The parents were blessed with seven sons, the next to
the youngest of whom was the subject of this memoir —
Samuel Reed Fisher — who was born at Norristown, Pa.,
on the 2nd day of June, 1810. The place was then
comparatively small. Nearly everything north of
Main street was under culture, and through these fields
the boy then roamed, with what now looks like ''primi-
tive freedom.'^ He frequently spoke of the changes
that have since taken place in this community. There
was then no Reformed church nearer than Boehm's — four
miles distant to the north, but to that place the sturdy
people of our communion then resorted to worship God
after the manner of their fathers. There the inquisitive
lad first heard the Gospel preached, by the Rev. George
Wack, who was then pastor of the congregation, and, at
the same time, the relative and god-father of his boy
auditor. From the earliest dawn of his life the child
was } iously inclined ; and, on the 27th of May, 1826,
five days before his sixteenth birthday, he was, after a
thorough course of catechetical instruction, received into
full communion with the Church by the solemn rite of
confirmation.
His parents gave him the educational advantages
afforded by the common schools of his day ; but such as
these were, they did not reach the case; for the youth
had already consecrated himself to the service of God,
and the Christian ministry was properly looked upon as
*See obituary, by the Rev. Dr. P. S. Davis, in the "Ret; Ch.
Mess.," June 15, 1881, which is freely used.
REV. SAMUEL REED FISHER, D. D. 17
requiring a higher grade of education. In the spring
of 1824, he found himself in Father Wack^s family,
half student and half boy-of-all-work, but having the
preaching of the gospel in view as the work of his after
life. The residence of Father Wack was on the " Skip-
pack Road," one mile from Centre Square, and is noted
for its historic associations. The place is yet pointed
out to persons interested in the early history of our
Church. It is associated with the immediate pastorate
of the sainted Schlatter, whose residence was at Ger-
mantown, but a short distance away. The five years
spent under Father Wack's roof were always spoken of
as pleasant days ; he often called up the scenes so viv-
idly and earnestly that we could almost see him in that
country home, feeding stock and riding horses to water
when the exercises in Latin grammar were over. Dur-
ing this period the Rev. Jesse B. Knipe, who survived
him, was his boon companion, and of this dear brother
the deceased always spoke in terms of affection even to
the end of his life.
The time spent in this quiet retreat and beneath the
hospitable roof of his venerable friend and pastor, was
of great practical use to him; but it was found that
higher educational facilities than he had hitherto enjoy-
ed, were required to qualify him for the responsible du-
ties of the Christian ministry. The Reformed Church
had then no well establis^ied literary and theological
institutions, and it was resolved that he should go to
Jefferson College, at Cannonsburg, to prosecute his lit-
erary studies. He entered the preparatory department
in 18:^9, and one year later the college proper. He
2
18 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
graduated in 1834 with a large class of young men,
many of whom were excellent scholars, standing high in
the class. He was a respectable Latin and Greek schol-
ar, but excelled in mathematics, for which he is said
to have had a peculiar fondness.
During his college life his activity showed itself in
many ways. For a long time he traveled sixteen miles
every Sunday, superintending two Sabbath schools. It
is recorded, that, during the vacation of 1832, he walked
eight hundred miles in revisiting his home, and doing
missionary work on the way.
Immediately after graduating he entered the Theo-
logical Seminary connected with the classical or high
school of the Reformed Church, then located at York,
Pa., where he spent two years under the instruction of
Drs. Mayer and Ranch, and where his activity in every
good work showed itself. Here he was instrumental
in forming the Diagnothian and Goethean Literary So-
cieties. He wrote the constitutions, which have been
the organic law of these institutions ever since.
In 1836 he was licensed to preach the gospel by the
Synod of the United States, and ordained on the 19th
of October in the same year. His first and only pas-
torate was that of the Emmittsburg charge, which then
comprised six congregations. His pastoral relations,
although very satisfactory to minister and people, lasted
only until the close of the year 1839, when his business
qualifications so attracted the attention of the Church,
that he was called to an enlarged sphere of usefulness.
In 1840 he became connected with the Publication
Office, which had just been established at Chambers-
REV. SAMUEL EEED FISHER, D. D. 19
burg, and then and there the great, the really hard labor
of his life commenced. At first he was associated with
the late Rev. Dr. B. S. Schneck ; afterwards he had for
years the sole editorship of the Messenger and the busi-
ness management of all our publication interests. Some-
times, at intervals, he had genial, efficient editorial help,
and sometimes competent clerical force, but all finan-
cial responsibility rested upon his shoulders ; and such
was his ability, that he had acquired a fine property,
and put things upon a paying basis, when all was de-
stroyed by the fire in 1864.
After the burning of Chambersburg, the office was
removed to Philadelphia, where his labors were greatly
increased, until 1875, when, according to his own sug-
gestion, some change was made, which resulted in the
present editorial arrangement. Notwithstanding this
relief. Dr. Fisher had yet much to do, and he performed
his duty well until God called him to lay down the
burden. Upon this particular sphere of his activity we
would like to enlarge, but the field is too extended, and
the task too tender and difficult, and we can only refer
to it again under some estimate we may make at the
close of this article.
Besides his duties at the Publication office. Dr.
Fisher was from the year 1840 Stated Clerk of the
Synod of the Reformed Church in the United States.
He was elected by the Synod at Greencastle to succeed
Rev. Samuel Gutelius. Two years before that he had
been chosen a member of the Board of Visitors of the
Seminary and Treasurer of the Board of Education.
This brought increased labors to him, as any one who
20 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
thinks a moment may see. In 1853 the honorary de-
gree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by
Franklin and Marshall College
In addition to his duties as Stated Clerk of Synod,
and the enormous amount of writing required of him
as editor of the Messenger, and general business man-
ager of the printing establishment, Dr. Fisher was also
a frequent contributor to the other periodicals of the
Church, especially the Guardian and the Mercershurg
Revieiv. He is also the author of several excellent and
useful religious works, such as his Exercises on the Hei-
delberg Catechism, and Family Assistant, a book of pri-
vate devotion, which gained a wide circulation, and
ministered comfort and consolation to many a pilgrim
on life's weary way.
He contributed largely towards getting up the histori-
cal sketches of our sainted ministers. Everything of in-
terest in regard to their life and ministry, he carefully
preserved and piously wove theraint«) permanent records.
These sketches were published from time to time in the
columns of the Messenger, and almost invariably on the
inside page, where they would at once meet the eye of the
observant reader. For this kindly service he deserves
the lasting gratitude of the entire Reformed Church.
But his precious life could not continue always, nor
were his services, however valuable, to be enjoyed for-
ever. The close of his long and stirring life was draw-
ing to its close, and his sun went down while busily at
work.
Dr. Fisher left home on the 1 7th of May, to attend
the meetings of the General Synod, in Tiffin, Ohio. He
REV. SAMUEL REED FISHER, D. D. 21
was at that time exceedingly bright and well. Indeed,
he spoke of the fact that he was in better physical con-
dition than he had beei for a long time, and he looked
forward to the meeting of the Synod with peculiar hope
and joy. He had arranged for an absence of a week or
two after the sessions were concluded, to visit some
friends and attend to some private business. But on his
way West, he was seized with the sickness from which
he never recovered, and on Whitsunday, June 5, 1881,
about 2 o'clock, p. m., he passed sweetly away, aged 71
years and 3 days. Services, conducted by Rev. Drs.
Kefauver, Rust and J. H. Good, were held at the house
of Dr. Heckerman, whose guest Dr. Fisher had been ;
and the professors and students of Heidelberg College
formed a solemn procession and followed his body to the
depot.
His remains were brought East, and deposited in the
old church-yard at Chambersburg, on Tuesday, the 7th
of June.
The following ministers were present: Drs. B. Baus-
man, T. G. Apple, E. V. Gerhart, J. H. Dubbs, M.
Kieffer, E. E. Higbee, P. S. Davis, James Kennedy,
and Revs. W. R. H. Deatrich, G. H. Johnston, J. D.
Miller, C. Cort, J. S. Kieffer, W. H. Herbert, J. C. Bow-
man and W. C. Crerner. The liturgical services in the
church were conducted by the brethren, Higbee, M. Kief-
fer, Johnston, Dubbs and Cort. Short addresses were
made by Drs. Gerhart, Apple and Kennedy — a minister
of the Presbyterian Church, and a life-long friend of
the deceased — and Davis. The service at the grave
was read by Dr. Bausman. There were also present
22 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
other men — representatives of various interests, among
the rest, Mr. James Grant, of the firm of Grant, Faires
and Rodgers, printers, with whom Dr. Fisher had main-
tained extended and pleasant business relations.
We will not allow ourselves to enter into any com-
ments upon this service. We went back to the old
church-yard in the darkness and rain of the evening, and
stood by the side of the newly made grave. A thousand
associations came rushing in upon us. It was the spot
he had chosen for his own resting-place, as far back as
1842, when he laid his first wife there. More than once
he had stood there with us. Once he said: '^ Davis, in
that church I long listened to the gospel of Jesus, and
next to the mound at our feet I wish to lie and wait foi"
His coming." Often we talked about the place, know-
ing how many persons dear to us both were buried there,
and what interest we had taken in that '^ God's- Acre."
It always was a restful-looking place, and to many, a
couch beneath its green trees has long been more desira-
ble than a tomb in any world-renowned Abbey. We
could not but think that evening of those who had gone
before, and of the reunion of spirits in the other world,
far above^ the clouds, with the light from the throne gild-
ing even the darkness which seems at times to shroud
the earth.
Dr. Fisher was twice married. His first wife was
Miss Ellen C. May, eldest daughter of Daniel May,
Esq., of York, Pa., to whom he was united in matri-
mony on the 5th day of April, 1837. The fruit of this
marriage was a daughter and a son. The former, Miss
Rebecca Fisher, died a little over one year prior to her
REY. SAMUEL REED FISHER, D. D. 23
venerated father. The son, Rev. Charles G. Fisher,
survives. The first Mrs. Fisher died in Chambersburg,
on the 26th day of January, 1842, in the 26th year of
her age. On the 5th day of December, 1843, he was
married to Mrs. Naomi Kerns, widow of Abraham
Kerns, of Bedford, Pa. The second marriage was with-
out issue. Mrs. Fisher died, November 27th, 1875.
It is useless for us to say anything about Dr. Fisher's
personal appearance. He has been seen and known by
more persons than any minister in our Church, and it will
not be hard to call up his familiar form, and his white,
flowing hair and beard, as he sat in the Secretary's chair
at Synod, or in his office here. Indeed, he was a link
to bind us to the past, and from the nature of his official
relations, was brought into contact with our pastors and
people for more than half a century. His correspon-
dence, too, was very extensive, as he was nearly always
appealed to when questions of Church order, or points
in the history of ecclesiastical action were raised.
Dr. Fisher was a very industrious man. He was by
nature a quiet, incessant plodder, and that enabled him
to accomplish so aiuch. At Synods his pen was always
in his hand, writing minutes and sending them to the
press, turning aside to receive moneys or prepare certifi-
cates— but working — working — working always. Even
when other biethren were in his room enjoying compar-
ative immunity from duty, he was writing while talk-
ing to them. So it was everywhere and at all times,
and the drudgery of clerical labor was nearly always
complicated by the fact that he had often to provide
ways and means for carrying on some of the benevolent
24 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
operations of the Church. It would be hard to estimate
the amount of work he did, and his place cannot be filled
by any one man. It often happens that when God al-
lows an aged, experienced servant to lay down a burden
it must be taken up and divided among many others.
But our deceased brother not only did much. He
also endured much, and the last of these duties often re-
quires more grace than the former. Two of Napoleon's
Marshals were equal in bravery. The one could tlarow
down his flagon at the bugle's call, and rush into the
thickest of the fray, but when the long, tedious marches
were to be made, he was like a spirited war-horse at a
funeral, fretted by the very slowness of the gait. The
other gained the palm as a soldier, because he was as
great in repose as in action. It was a grand thing for
the French soldiers to make their splendid charge over
the field of Waterloo, but it was a grander thing for
the forces of Wellington to stand in their hollow squares
and receive it without returning a shot. Dr. Fisher,
like any editor, had to endure a great deal from those
who differed with him in opinion or could not under-
stand why his columns were not open to this or that ;
but he had come to know the power of masterly inac-
tivity, ani rested secure in the fact that those who
blamed him would justify his course, if they could but
take in the situation as he was enabled to do it. The
strength of our deceased father's character was shown in
the calm serenity with which he met these annoyances ;
and he died respected by those even who differed from
him, because they knew he was honest, and always had
in view the good of the Church, rather than his own
selfish interests.
REV. SAMUEL REED FISHER, D. D. 25
He was distinguished for his freedom from guile,
and from malice even when he was wronged. He will
be fondly remembered as a prominent, active, useful
minister in the Reformed Church.*
*See obituary of Dr. Davis, as above, whose sentiments and
language we have freely used.
26 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH
REV. FREDERICK WAHL.
1821—1881.
Mr. Wahl was a European by birtli, but spent the
greater part of his life in this country. He officiated in
both the German and English languages — exercising
his ministry successively in three different denomina-
tions, so that only a part of his public life was devoted
to the interests of the Reformed Church. His minis-
try, however, was earnest and useful, and he is emi-
nently deserving of a place among our most faithful
and devoted ministers.
Born in Wurtemburg, Germany, March 21, 1821,
Mr. Wahl emigrated in his childhood with his parents
to America in 1832, and for two years lived at York,
Pa., whence his father removed to Salem, Ohio, a vil-
lage near Dayton. As there was at this place no Luth-
eran church, of which his parents were members, they
passed over to the Evangelical Association (Albrights) :
and Frederick, at the age of fifteen, became a devout
member of the same Christian communion. Two years
later his zeal constrained him to engage in preaching
the gospel. Subsequently, in his twenty-first year, he
was set apart to the holy ministry, and for five years
labored as pioneer missionary in the service of this de-
REV. FREDERICK WAHL. 27
nomination, two of which were spent in northern Illi-
nois. He built the church of the Evangelical Associa-
tion in the city of Chicago.
Whilst living there, the Reformirte Zeitschrift, then
edited by the Rev. B. S. Schneck, fell into his hands,
and from that time he became a reader of it. In a let-
ter to me,* of November 20, 1878, Mr. Wahl says:
"This gave a new turn to my life soon afterwards. In
the fifth year of my ministry among this people, I was
sent to Pickaway county, Ohio, where my further ac-
quaintance with the character and doings of the German
Reformation churches in this country, and especially my
personal contact with Reformed ministers, at that time,
so awakened the inherited but slumbering love to these
ancient churches and their forms of worship, that I left
the Evangelical Association and attached myself to the
Reformed Church. This occurred in the year 1845. I
never made a good Albright preacher, and seemed some-
how, on account of my mental make-up, never to have
been destined to spend my life in that communion.''
Eor a period of nearly thirty-three years, 1845-78,
the Rev. Frederick Wahl was an active minister of the
Reformed Church, serving different pastoral charges in
Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, Indiana and Iowa, pro-
claiming the word acceptably both in the German and
English languages.
In Highland county, Ohio, lay his first field of la-
bor ; Bluffton, Indiana, was the last. After resigning
*The Rev. Dr. E. V. Gerhart, whose sketch found in the
"Ref. Ch, Mess.," Sept. 14, 1881, we have used with very few
chansres.
28 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
this charge, in 1878, he passed over into the Presby-
terian Church, not because he loved the Reformed
Church less than he had in the earlier days of his min-
istry, nor because he did not feel bound by strong ties
to the members of her communion, but for other rea-
sons which I need not record in detail. In his judg-
ment, Providence seemed to close the door upon him in
one denomination of the Reformed communion and to
open the door to him in another ; though he did not
make the transition without some pangs of sorrow. "It
goes hard after all," he writes, "to break away from
associations of thirty-three years' standing."
Mr. Wahl was twice married — first to Miss Leah
Buckwalter, daughter of John Buckwalter, of Halls-
ville, Ohio, May 20th, 1845, who died in Tiffin; and
afterwards, October, 1853, to Miss Agnes Wesener, eld-
est daughter of Dr. C. Wesener, of Navarre, Ohio, who
survives him.
Dr. Gerhart, who appears to have been a staunch
friend and admirer of the deceased, closes his obituary
in the following beautiful and appropriate language:
" With the Rev. Mr. Wahl I became intimately ac-
quainted at Tiffin, Ohio, 1851-55, when I was Presi-
dent of Heidelberg College and Professor in the Theo-
logical Seminary. He soon won my entire confidence
as an upright man in whom there was no guile, a warm-
hearted Christian, and a faithful preacher of the gospel.
Firmly rooted in the faith of Christ, he labored pa-
tiently and perseveringly amid numerous ministerial
trials and domestic sorrows, true to his spiritual stew-
ardship unto the end. Candid, frank and straightfor-
REY. FREDERICK WAHL. 29
ward, sometimes even to bluntness, outspoken in his
convictions, impatient of all double-dealing, averse even
to shrewdness, his devotion to the cross from early youth
to old age, and his quiet, unpretending career in the
ministry made his character and personal history a liv-
ing witness to the transforming power of the Christian
religion. Some faults, indeed, he had ; his tempera-
ment disposed him to look too much at the darker side
of things in the Church and the world ; hence he was
often desponding when he should have been cheerful
and hopeful. But his faults were superficial blemishes
in a man of pure character and a minister of unswerv-
ing fidelity to his holy vocation. He kept the faith up
to his last hour ; he departed this life victorious over
the ills of our fallen race, and rejoicing in the hope of
the glorious resurrection. This tribute to the memory
of a beloved brother in the Lord I have drawn up in
compliance with the request, which about three years
ago in a season of depression he made of me, that should
I survive him, I would, in the event of his death, write
his obituary for the Church papers.''
Mr. Wahl died at Hallsville, Ohio, in the family of
his daughter, Mrs. Buckwalter, July 14, 1881, aged 60
years, 3 months and 24 days. He was buried at the
place of his death. The Rev. Mr. Dent, pastor of the
Cumberland Presbyterian church at Adelphia, Ohio,
officiated on the solemn occasion. Requiescat in pace!
30 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
REV. WILLIAM GILPIN.
1821—1882.
Mr. Gilpin was born in Schuylkill county, Pa., July
1st, 1821. Of his early life we have no definite infor-
mation, nor can we say where he spent his youth. He
was, however, in the State of Illinois when he entered
the ministry, and it is likely that he grew up there. As
he entered upon the pastoral work late in life, he prob-
ably did not enjoy the advantage of a thorough educa-
tion. He, however, became a useful man, and accom-
plished a good work in the vineyard of the Lord,
Christian zeal and earnestness made up for any defi-
ciencies there may have been in his preparation for the
sacred office.
Mr. Gilpin, says the Rev. -W. A. Hale,* was a man
of true and generous purposes. His impulses were
warm, his attachments strong and unfaltering, and his
principles correct. He never betrayed a friend, or
proved ungenerous to a foe. And, now, after the noise
of battle has ceased, like a soldier, who has fought his
last engagement, and planted the banner of truth upon
the summit of the last battlement, he has reported at
the call of death, to receive the reward promised to him
who overcometh.
*See obituary, "Christian World," March 2, 1882.
REV. WILLIAM GILPIN. 31
He entered the ministry of the Reformed Church
at the age of forty-one — with what literary and theo-
logical preparation we cannot tell. He was examined
and licensed by the Illinois Classis, October 11, 1862,
and subsequently ordained by a committee of the same
body, either late in the Fall of 1862 or in the early
part of 1863, on a call from the Hickory Mission
charge in Fayette county, Illinois, consisting originally
of two congregations — one of twelve, the other of twenty-
seven members. Subsequently a third congregation
was added to the charge. This charge he served from
1862 to 1868 — about six years. He then removed to
Macon, Macon county, Illinois, and took charge of two
congregations in that county, known as the Macon
charge, serving it from 1868 to 1872. Both of these
charges were in a measure missionary fields ; and, as
they could give but a meagre support, it required much
self-denial and extra labor on the part of the pastor.
He was, however, faithful and devoted to his calling,
and did a good work in that place.*
He was then without a pastoral charge for a time,
which he spent in Kansas, when, in 1873, he accepted
ofa call from the Union charge in Fairfield county,
Ohio, and continued in this field about five years. Dur-
ing this time, says the Rev. Mr. Hale, he was my near-
est neighbor, as pastor of our church. He gained quite
a reputation as a faithful, devoted and earnest servant
of the Lord. He added largely to the membership of
the Union charge. He also organized a congregation
in Baltimore, in the same county, and, if my memory
*Rev. Dr. Reiter, in "Christian World," March 2, 1882.
32 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
serves me faithfully, erected and paid for a church build-
ingj. His services here were highly appreciated.
Just before coming to Fairfield county he lost his wife,
Mrs. Elizabeth C. Lawrence Gilpin. She died, if we
mistake not, at or near Altamont, Illinois, where she
was buried. On the 12th of February, 1874, he was
united in marriage to Miss Virginia L. Leach, of Som-
erset, Perry county, Ohio. He was the father of two
children by his first wife, one of whom preceded him to
the spirit world. His second wife and the one daughter
are left to mourn his death.
He resigned the union charge in March, 1878; and
after resting eighteen months, he received and accepted
a call from the Broken Sword charge, in Crawford coun-
ty, Ohio, where he closed both his labors and his life.
At this place he succeeded well in his ministry, as he
did also in his previous charges, and was instrumental
in erecting and paying for a new church at Richville.
A friend, speaking of him, said : "I never saw pastor
and people more firmly united." They loved him,
honored him, and obeyed him. It was during the first
ten years of his ministry, however, that he appears in
the truest light as a missionary of the cross — travelling
from place to place afoot, teaching school for a subsist-
ence, and prosecuting his studies by day and by night,
that he might be qualified for his work, rightly divid-
ing the word of life in his public ministrations.
Bro. Gilpin sought to acquire a knowledge of the
German language, in order that he might be able to
preach to those of our Church who did not understand
the English ; and so well did he succeed in his efforts.
REV. WILLIAM GILPIN. 33
that I heard him very highly complimented for the ex-
cellent and efficient manner in which he acquitted him-
self. He was a faithful and successful preacher — a
man of good natural endowments — so that, notwith-
standing his late entrance upon the work of the min-
istry, he acquired a reputation that will long survive
him. In fact, Bro Gilpin began and completed a work
of the highest magnitude. He was faithful in the dis-
charge of all his duties, and, at the close of his earnest
and stirring life, could well say : ^'I have fought a good
fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith :
henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteous-
ness, which the Lord — the righteous Judge — shall give
me at that day ; and not to me only, but unto all them
also that love his appearing."
From a private letter of the Rev. G. H. Leonard,
kindly sent us by the Rev. Dr. Rust, we learn that Bro.
Gilpin's health, for some time previous to his death, was
not very good. His last sickness was hasty consump-
tion. His sufferings were brief and severe. He died
in the bosom of his family, on the 16th day of January,
1882, aged 60 years, 6 months and 15 days. His end
was calm and peaceful. Commending himself to that
Saviour whom he had so often and effectively com-
mended to others, he gently fell asleep in Jesus, and
passed from a world of toil and sorrow to that ^'rest
which remaineth for the people of God."
34 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
REV. JACOB MARSHALL LeFEVRE.
1833—1882.
Mr. LeFevre was a Western man by birth and edu-
cation. He was the eldest son of Elias and Louisa Le-
fevre, and was born in Warren county, Ohio, August
19, 1833.* His father settled on a farm in Shelby
county, Ohio, when Jacob M. was an infant. When
about eighteen years of age, he realized that he was
effectually called to the office of the gospel ministry.
His parents both being members of the Reformed
Church, at Bethel in this county, and he having been
baptized in infancy, and confirmed by the Rev. John
Pence, then pastor at that place, as might naturally be
expected, he selected Heidelberg College and Seminary
as the place in which to qualify himself for his life-
work. Accordingly to this institution he directed his
steps, and entered upon the work of preparing himself
for his high and holy calling. He spent three years in
the College exclusively, and two additional years jointly
in the College and Theological Seminary.
In 1855 he received a letter of dismission from the
* For this sketch, slightly altered, we are indebted to the
Rev. Hiram Shaull. See obituary in "Ref. Ch. Mess.," May 3,
]S82: also "Christian World."
REV. JACOB MARSHALL LEFEVRE. 35
Seminary, and a recommendation to Miami CJassis for
licensure, and was accordingly, after due examination,
licensed by said Classis to preach the gospel. Soon af-
ter he received a call to the North Clayton charge in
Miami county. In the Spring of 1856, at a meeting of
the Ohio Synod, held at Tiffin, Ohio, he was solemnly
set apart and ordained a minister in the Reformed
Church. He continued pastor of this charge about three
and one-half years.
November 12, 1857, he was united in bands of holy
wedlock to Miss Annie Jones, in Fairfield, Greene co.,
by Rev. H. K. Bains. Two children were born unto
them — one son and one daughter.
About the year 1859 he received and accepted a call
to the pastorate of the Carroll ton charge, in Carroll
county, Ohio. He continued to serve this charge with
great acceptance about six years. He was then called
to the pastorate of the Fairfield charge, in Greene
county, Ohio. To sever his pleasant and agreeable
relations with the Carrol Iton charge, he told the writer,
was one of the greatest struggles of his eventful life.
But after much agonizing prayer, and many tears, he
felt that it was God's will that he should accept the call
to Fairfield. And when this line of duty appeared clear
to him, he went forward heroically at the bidding of
the great Head of the Church — accepted the call, and,
some time in the year 1864, entered upon his duties as
pastor of the Fairfield charge. Here he continued to
labor with acceptance and profit to the charge fifteen
years. During his ministry here he accomplished a
great and good work for the Master in the upbuilding
36 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
of the charge. Few pastorates in the Reformed Church
can present a better record than that of his in this
charge. But for reasons obvious to himself, in March,
1880, he resigned and came with his family to Shelby
county, the home of his parents. Here he remained,
with slight intervals, until death called him to his rest.
For a few months he and his family resided at Swander's
Station. In the Fall of 1880 he removed with his
family to Sidney, and occupied the property in Sidney
belonging to the Hon. Benjamin LeFevre, the third son
of the family, and now the representative in Congress
from the fifth congressional district in Ohio.
January 1, 1881, he received and accepted a call to
the pastorate of the St. Paris charge, in which work he
was engaged when death called him home to rest from
his labors.
Thus we have traced his life in the ministry through
a period of about twenty-five years. And they have
been years of arduous toil and earnest, efficient labor.
Though not a brilliant pulpit orator, yet he was a suc-
cessful workman in the Master's vineyard. In his man-
ner in the pulpit he was more philosophical than ora-
torical. In his discourses he was no mere surface-
dresser, but rather logical and profound. He dealt out
the truths of the gospel with such clearness and power
that few could hear him without consenting to his
message. Herein lay the secret of his success in the
pulpit. But the chief element of his success in winning
souls to Christ was not in his pulpit-exercises, but in
his pastoral work. Outside of the pulpit he was a ge-
nial and lovable companion. By this happy trait of
REV. JACOB MARSHALL LEFEVRE. 37
character peculiar to himself he vvou the confidence and
esteem of all with whom he associated. None knew
him but to love, respect and esteem him. And then^
again, his walk and deportment were so consistent with
that of the true Christian gentleman, that he at once
commanded the highest respect of the community in
which he lived.
Yet, like all other men, he had his little failings.
But no one regretted and lamented moreover them than
he. He has so expressed himself time and again to the
writer, in burning words. These were besetments of
the flesh, and not willful errors of the heart.
No man could go to him in distress, without coming
away with the conviction that in Jacob M. LeFevre he
had found a true philanthropist — a Christian friend and
brother. Charity was one of the chief elements of his
character. It was his motto and his watchword. Vir-
tue was the shining mark which he constantly kept in
view.
Mr. LeFevre departed this life, after a brief illness,
at St. Paris, Champaign county, Ohio, April 2, 1882,
aged 48 years, 7 months and 14 days. In his death his
wife and children have sustained an irreparable loss.
His widowed mother, his sister and his brothers realize
that they have indeed been sorely bereaved ; and the
Miami Classis, with the entire Reformed Church, has
lost one of its most earnest, zealous and efficient labor-
ers. He leaves a wife, a son and a daughter, a wid-
owed mother, and a sister and five brothers to mourn
their loss.
He was buried in the cemetery at Port Jefferson,
38 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
April 6, by the Sir Knights Templar of Dayton, and
of Troy, of which he was a worthy and consistent mem-
ber. The following ministers of the Miami Clasais
were present : Revs. Tucker, Hale, Herman and Shaull.
Rev. McCaslin of the Presbyterian and Rev. Pope of
the Methodist Episcopal Church were also present.
The Methodist choir furnished the music, after
which Rev. Tucker read the fourteenth chapter of Job.
Then Rev. McCaslin offered an earnest and appropriate
prayer, which was followed by an excellent address, by
Rev. H. M. Herman, after which the Knights Templar
took possession of the corpse and completed the burial
services. Peace to his ashes.
REV. WILLIAM F. COLLIFLOWER. 39
REV. WILLIAM F. COLLIFLOWER
1814—1882.
Mr, Colliflower, the subject of this sketch, belongs
to an old Reformed family, descendants, it is said, of the
Huguenots, or French Reformed Protestants. The
original name was Goranfloh, by which title some
branches of the family are still known in the eastern
counties of Pennsylvania. By one branch or offshoot of
the family, this name was translated into the present
English form — Colliflower.
Whether this traditional account of the matter be
strictly correct, we are not able positively to assert. But
it seems plausible, and hence we give it as an item of
history.
The subject of this notice was born at or near Cave-
town, Washington county, Md., on the 14th of Febru-
ary, 1814."^ Baptized in infancy, confirmed in his
youth, and feeling himself called of God to the ministry
of the Gospel, he sought and made the necessary prep-
aration for that which was to be his life-work, by a
course of Theological training, at the hands of Rev.
Lewis Mayer, D. D., then at the head of the Theologi-
* See obituary by the Rev. Henry St. John Rinker, in " Ref.
Ch. Mess.," May 17, 1882.
40 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
cal Seminary located at York, Pa. Having finished his
studies in the Fall or Winter of 1836, he received license
from the Classis of Maryland; and, in view of a call
to the Mill Creek charge, in Virginia, he was ordained
to the holy ministry by the same Classis. He entered
this field in the spring of 1837, and served it two years.
This charge was composed at that time of two congrega-
tions in Page county, now extinct, and four congrega-
tions in Shenandoah county. In the Spring of 1839, he
became pastor of the Woodstock charge, a field, like the
first, covering a large territory. It was while pastor
here that he was united in marriage to Miss Ann E
Fisher, then of Baltimore, the ceremony being performed
by the Rev. Elias Heiner, in the Second street church,
of that city.
Two months after his marriage he left Woodstock,
and became pastor of the Glade charge, in Maryland.
This pastorate was of eight years continuance. From
the Glade he went to Manchester, Md,, where he re-
mained nine years; then he preached at Jefferson, Md.^
for ten years and six months ; then at Bloomfield, Pa., for
three years; then at Carlisle for one year and six
months; then at Hagerstown for three years; from Ha-
gerstown he went to New Oxford, where he remained
three years. Here, his health failing him, his long and
active ministerial life was brought to a close, except that^
after his removal to Frederick, he preached occasionally
for his ministerial brethren, in the neighborhood of
Frederick City, whither he had gone to seek rest and
recovery, in the hope that he might, for a while longer,
be returned to the active duties of his calling and office..
REV. WILLIAM F. COLLIFLOWER. 41
All the charges served by our brother were, for the most
part, large in territory, requiring labor, energy and faith
to meet the wants of the people committed to his care.
But his earnestness, unconquerable will and persevering
faith, made him equal to the task, so that he fulfilled
his ministry and has entered into his rest.
Brother Colliflower died at his residence, in Freder-
ick City, Md., on Sunday, April 30, 1882, aged 68 years,
2 months and 16 days. The funeral took place on Wed-
nesday following his death. The ministers of the Re-
formed Church present at the time were Revs. Dr. Bom-
berger, Dr. E. R. Eshbach, S. M. Hench, A. Shulen-
berger, N. H. Skyles, T. F. Hoffmeier, L. G. Kremer,
H. Bielfeld and H. St. J. Rinker, the last five named,
with Layman Phreaner, of Hagerstown, acting as pall-
bearers. The sermon was preached in Dr. Eshbach's
church by Dr. Bomberger, from the words of St. Paul
to Timothy, " I have kept the faith.'^ After the ser-
mon. Dr. Eshbach, in a few well-timed and touching
remarks, referred to the cordial feeling existing between
the deceased and the Reformed people of Frederick and
vicinity; and, as an evidence of this fact, so many of
them were present on that occasion. Each one of the
other ministers present took some part in the devotional
part of the services.
After the interesting services at the church, the body
was borne to the beautiful cemetery in the southern sub-
urbs of the city, where it was committed to the earth,
there in hope to await the resurrection of the just.
Brother Colliflower leaves a wife, three daughters
and several grandchildren, with many other friends, to
42 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
mourn his death ; but they cau mourn not as those who
have no hope. "For if we believe that Jesus died and
rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will
God bring with Plim,'' says the Apostle; '^wherefore
comfort one another with these words."
In this their bereavement, our departed brother's
family will have the sympathy of the Church, and es-
pecially of his co-laborers in the ministry, to whom he
was so long and favorably known.
Brother Colliflower was an earnest, practical and ac-
ceptable preacher, and a faithful pastor. He took a deep
interest in all the benevolent operations of the Church.
As a member of the diiferent Boards of the Church, he
always acted his part well. For a number of years he
was Secretary of the "Society for the Relief of Ministers
and their Widows of the Reformed Church in the
United States." While occupying this position, lie per-
formed his duty promptly and with fidelity, regularly
attending all its meetings. His valuable services ren-
dered the Church in this and different other capacities
will be long and gratefully remembered.
Brother Colliflower left a widow and three children,
daughters, to mourn his departure. Two of his children
had preceded him to the spirit world. One of the sur-
viving daughters is married to the Rev. H. I. Comfort,
a minister of the Reformed Church, since deceased.
REV. HENRY K. ZINK. 43
REV. HENRY K. ZINK.
1817—1882.
Mr. Ziuk entered the ministry rather late in life.
He was not originally designed for this sacred office, but
was brought into it by one of those mysterious provi-
dences which so frequently determine the future destiny
of men. This peculiar feature of his life and history
will be brought out in the following brief but affecting
narrative of his life, prepared by one who seems to have
been well acquainted with the sainted brother.*
Mr. Zink was a foreigner — a native of Hamburg,
North Germany, where he was born June 15th, 1817.
Before leaving his native country, he was married, but
to whom we are not able to say. In 1848 he came to
this country and located first at New York. Here his
wife died on account of a severe fright, which came over
her through a fire that broke out in the building they
occupied. Her husband carried her down the burning
stairway from the third story, thereby injuring his eyes.
Through this affliction he was brought to the saving
knowledge of Christ; and his desire then was to go and
preach "Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.'^ He subse-
«See"Ref. Ch. Mess.," June 14, 1882, and the "Christian
World"— obituary by the Kev. Frederick Schaad.
44 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
qaently came to Warren, Ohio, and was married to Mary
Catharine Rometsch, in 1860. This was a helpmeet for
him, indeed, as she had to lead him wherever he went;
and not only that, but she had also to read for him, and
thus assist him in the preparation of his sermons.
He was received into the ministry of the Reformed
Church, West, by the St. John's Classis, in 1861. In
Warren, which was his first charge, he labored three
years, then accepted a call to the New Bedford charge,
which he served for only one year. From here he went
to Philipsburg, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where he la-
bored until his death. His second wife died two years
prior to his own decease, leaving him in the care of two
daughters. He was faithful in the discharge of his pas-
toral duties, notwithstanding his blindness. He had just
closed his confirmations and communions on Sunday,
April 30th, when, on Monday, about noon, he commenced
to complain. On Tuesday, May 2nd, 1882, at 4 o'clock
P. M., he closed his eyes, which had been sightless for
years, in death, and is now, as we hope and trust, in that
higher and purer world of light, life and blessedness,
where he may behold Him whom he served and so ear-
nestly proclaimed here.
His funeral took place on Thursday, May 4th. A
large concourse of people had gathered to pay the last
tribute of respect to their beloved pastor. Four minis-
ters were present, namely, Revs. C. Wisner, M. Noll and
F. Schaad of the Reformed Church, and J. Kramer of
the Presbyterian Church.
The latter came from Newark, Ohio, he being a spe-
cial friend of Brother Zink. The funeral sermon was
REV. HENRY K. ZINK. 45
preached by the Rev. Frederick Schaad, from Acts 20 :
24 — 27, after which each of the other brethren spoke a
few words in memory of the deceased, and for the con-
solation of the daughters, as well as for admonition to
the congregation.
After the services at the church, his remains were
laid in the silent tomb, there to rest until the resurrection
morning.
"Servant of God, well done !
Rest from your loved employ ;
The battle fought, the vie' try won,
Enter your Master's joy !"
"Thy work on earth, well done ;
Go unto thy reward.
And reign in heav'n with Christ the Son,
Thy Savior and thy Lord."
Just one year after the death of Brother Zink, mem-
bers of his late charge erected a beautiful and appropri-
ate monument to his memory. His successor, the Rev.
William Stechow, speaking of this token of their regard,
says : On the second day of May last, my predecessor,
pastor Zink, died. To honor his memory, the three
congregations, which, under many trials, he had so
faithfully served, erected a beautiful monument of blue
and white marble, whose unveiling took place on Sun-
day, May 6, 1883. On the appointed day the members
of the church, preceded by the Sabbath school, went in
procession to the cemetery. It was a beautiful May
morning, and a very large number of people gathered
around the grave of the departed one. Every one ap-
peared to enjoy the sight of the beautiful monument ;
46 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
on the one side of which there was an inscription com-
memorative of pastor Zink, and, on the other side, one
to the memory of his wife, who had preceded him in
death. After appropriate services on the cemetery and
a sermon in the church on Pro v. 10 : 6 — 8, the inter-
esting services were concluded. — Hausfreund, June 7,
1883.
REV. DANIEL GRIXG 47
REV. DANIEL GRING.
1811—1882.
Father Gring was oae of those quiet and unobtru-
sive men who attract but little attention and yet accom-
plish, in their own peculiar way, a vast amount of good.
Men of this cast are well adapted to the office and work
of the ministry where there is so much and such con-
stant need for the exercise of meekness, patience and res-
ignation. In all these qualities father Gring stood pre-
eminent. His naturally mild and humble disposition
inclined him, at the same time, to live retired and to con-
fine his attention and efforts to the particular field of
labor assigned him.
The subject of this sketch was born February 8th,
1811, on the banks of the beautiful Tulpehocken, in
the vicinity of Reading, Berks county. Pa., where his
childhood and early youth were also spent. He was
the son of David Gring and of his wife Anna Mary, a
daughter of the Rev. John Waldschmidt, one of the pio-
neer ministers of the Reformed Church in this country,
a sketch of whose life is found in the second volume of
the '' Fathers of the Reformed Church.^' Mr. Gring's
occupation was that of a miller and farmer. It was
here, on the banks of the noted Tulpehocken, amidst
48 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
rural scenery, and while assisting his father in these use-
ful labors, that his attention was directed to the office
and work of the holy ministry. Of the nature and ex-
tent of his preliminary training we have no definite in-
formation; but from the character of the times and the
limited opportunities which he possessed, we may pre-
sume that his education was somewhat defective. His
father died before the son had attained the age of twenty-
one; and, having been reduced to straightened circum-
stances, the children were left to provide for themselves.
About this time the subject of our sketch resolved on
devoting himself to the ministry of reconciliation. For
two years he studied under the direction of his elder
brother — the Rev. John Gring — one of the oldest min-
isters of the Reformed Church in this country. In
1833 he applied to the Synod for licensure and ordina-
tion; but, being found not sufficiently prepared, he was
advised to pursue his studies, for a time, in the Theo-
logical Seminary of the Reformed Church, then under
the supervision of the Rev. Dr. Lewis Mayer. He was
ordained in the year 1835, and installed as pastor of
the Paradise charge in the vicinity of Milton, North-
umberland county. Pa., as successor of the late Rev.
Henry Wagner, of blessed memory."^ He remained in
this charge for a period of eighteen years, up to 1853.
In the mouth of May of this year — 1853 — father
Gring entered upon his pastorate, as successor to the
Rev. John Reinecke, in the Shrewsbury charge, in York
county, Pa., which he continued to serve for twenty-seven
years up to within about two years of his death, when,
* Syn. Min., 1833, pp. 9, 23; 1835, pp. 47, 54 ; 1836, p. 19.
REV. DANIEL GRING. 49
in consequence of his increasing bodily infirmities, he
was obh'ged to resign and retire from the active duties
of the ministry. After his retirement, he resided tem-
porarily at Glen Rock, within the bounds of his late
charge; but removed to York, Pa., about one year prior
to his decease. The last six months of his life were
months of suffering, his system gradually giving way
under the pressure of his severe and manifold afflictions.
At times his sufferings were intense, but his death came
on stealthily, by the gradual wasting away of his strength,
induced by the nature of his disease, which almost pre-
vented the proper use of food. His end was peace, as
might be expected from the well-known character of the
deceased. His son, the Rev. Wm. A. Gring, in com-
municating some facts in regard to the life of his sainted
father, says: "I need not say that his death came to us,
showing the same humble trust in the Saviour that we
had all along witnessed in him as a father in his home,
and as a worker in his office," and he adds, with a char-
acteristic delicacy of feeling that commands our respect:
" It is not for me to speak of what is so fragrant to the
thoughts of our hearts in the personal life of our deceased
one, and which belongs to us exclusively; as I really am
not desirous about the rehearsal, even of what might
justly be said of his public life in the way of commen-
dation. There are so many infirmities, at best, of which
he was fully conscious, and yet happy in the assurance
that he should have them covered by the spotless sacri-
fice of Christ, and so be at rest and felicity in the Lord,
that I feel inclined to think that he would himself not
want even his virtues to be rehearsed." We can fully
4
50 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
appreciate these sentiments, while we feel ourselves con-
strained to bear decided and cheerful testimony to the
many good qualities, and extraordinary zeal and fidelity
of our sainted brother.
At an early period in his ministry, Mr. Gring was
married to Miss Catharine Morrison, a daughter of
Samuel Morrison, Esq., of Milton, Pa., a member of his
congregation at that place. She, together with seven
children, three sons and four daughters, survives the
husband and father. Two of the sous are in the minis-
try of the Reformed Church; one of them, the younger,
is laboring as a missionary in Japan.
Father Gring died at his residence in York, Pa., on
Wednesday, the 31st of May, 1882, at 6.30 o'clock, P.
M., aged 71 years, 3 months, and 23 days. He was
buried in Prospect Hill cemetery, York, Pa., and the
funeral services were held in Trinity Reformed church,
on the following Saturday, at 2 o'clock, P. M. With
the officiating clergyman, the Rev. Dr. J. O. Miller,
were associated the brethren Wanner, Hilbish, Sauerber,
Smith, Rahauser, Williams and Dreisbach, of the Re-
formed Church, who acted as pall -bearers on the solemn
occasion. The Rev. Dr. Miller delivered an appropri-
ate and edifying discourse on the beautiful words, in
Acts 13 : 36, ''Davidj after he had served his own gen-
eration by the will of God fell asleep, and was laid unto
his fathers." The Ciassis of Zion, which was in session
at York, when Father Gring expired, took suitable ac-
tion in regard to his death and tlie funeral services con-
nected with his burial.
Father Gring deserves an honorable place among the
REV. DANIEL GRING. 51
earnest and faithful ministers of the Reformed Church.
For a period of forty-five years he labored in the vine-
yard of the Lord, zealously devoted to the work in which
he was engaged. His extreme modesty and retired hab-
its of life prevented him from being as extensively
known as some others; but his labors were none the less
abundant or fruitful. His humble and unostentatious
life was wholly given to the Lord and quietly spent in
His service and lo His praise. His good example and
earnest life have given to the Church two of her best
and most useful ministers — the elder laboring in the
home field and the younger among the inquiring mil-
lions of Japan. May they be equally as successful in
winning souls for Christ as was their sainted father.
We close our sketch by adding a beautiful and mer-
ited tribute which is paid the sainted father by the Rev.
A. H. Kremer, in an article published in the Messen-
ger of June 28th, 1882. He says:
For three years a serai-intimate relationship existed
between us as members of the same ecclesiastical body.
During this time the impressions we received of our now
sainted brother were most favorable, and never to be
effaced. In many respects he was a model minister.
One essential feature in a bishop is, that he ruleth his
own house well, as St. Paul tells us ; and our deceased
brother lacked nothing in fulfilling this requirement.
As did a certain Roman lady, so this ambassador of
Christ could have pointed with pardonable pride to his
children, and said: "These are my jewels.'^ Certain it
is, that no scoffer ever pointed the finger of scorn at
Father Gring for having wild sons and vain daughters.
52 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
Two of his sons are prominent ministers of our Church,
one at Eramittsburg, Md., the other in Japan, securing
an entrance for the Reformed Church into that country.
Deep earnestness characterized Brother Gring in all
that he said and did in his holy calling. We heard him
preach twice, once in German and once in English.
Though we understood little of the German discourse,
yet the solemn manner in which it was delivered and the
remarkably sweet tones of his voice more than made up
for our limited knowledge of the language. Hundreds
of times since have we listened to those pulpit melodies
as they seemed to float from afar upon our mental ear.
The English sermon he preached in Carlisle, as the re-
tiring President of Classis. This was nineteen years
ago, but we remember his text and the general features
of the sermon. The text was Hebrews 4 : 15,16. The
discourse was well written, and delivered in his ijsual
manner, slowly, distinctly, and with deep solemnity. A
prominent citizen remarked to us after the sermon : '^ That
is a sound man.'' He knows more now of the " Throne
of Grace" and of " the great High Priest" than when he
preached that sermon which must have cost him many
an hour's weary labor.
Brother Gring was ardently devoted to his flock.
Nevers hall we forget his parochial reports. They
were always edifying and marked by that child-like
simplicity which is characteristic of affectionate souls.
In all his reports that we ever heard, while a member
with him of Zion's Classis, was this sentence, without
change, from year to year; "I visit my people as often
as I can, but not so often as they would like me to come;"
REV. DANIEL GRING. 53
always emphasizing the word "so/' We were once
present at the first communion of a large class of cate-
chumens whom he had confirmed the previous Sunday.
It was during a meeting of Classis, and the services
were unusually solemn. When the newly confirmed,
about twenty in all, came forward, the tender-hearted
pastor bowed his head and wept. He beckoned to one
of the ministers to speak to the young people, and then
shielding his face from view, his frame shook with emo-
tion. He was a good shepherd, who never drove, but
always led his flock, both by precept and example.
" Well done, good and faithful servant," comes from
his brethren still remaining in the flesh, who bear testi-
mony to his noble Christian character, as the echo of the
same sentence uttered by the Master.
54 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
REV. ADOLPH B. CASPAR.
1810—1882.
For the following sensible and appropriate memoir
of father Caspar we are indebted to the Rev. Wm. A.
Haas, who was an intimate friend and admirer of the
sainted father. He says :*
Adolph Bernhard Caspar was born in Halberstadt,
Prussia, Nov. 2, 1810. He was baptized, and after-
wards received into fall communion with the Church
by his own father, the Rev. Frederick William Henry
Caspar, Court preacher of William III., in Halber-
stadt. When twenty-six years of age, he emigrated to
America; and six years later, in 1842, he became a
naturalized citizen of the United States. The year af-
ter he arrived on our shores, he sustained the examina-
tion usual in case of candidates for holy orders, and was
licensed to preach the gospel at the meeting of the Synod
of the German Reformed Church held at Sunbury, Pa.,
in September, 1837. He was ordained to the ministry
by Zion's Classis at York, Pa., Dec. 12, 1838.
Father Caspar began his ministerial labors in York
county, where he continued, as the supply of a congre-
gation, from 1837 to 1839. On the 2nd of January,
* See "Ref. Ch. Mess.," July 5, 1882.
REV ADOLPH B. CASPAR. 55
1840, he received and accepted a call from the Mifflin-
biirg charge, which whs, however, quite differently con-
stituted then froin the present charge of that name.
His pastoral field became afterwards the New Berlin
charge, which was a part of the same field whose call
he heard in 1840. After the exercise of a true shep-
herd's faithful care and oversight of his widely separated
flock for more than twenty years, his hands grew too
feeble longer to hold the shepherd's crook. Hence he
pressed his resignation, as pastor, in 1860, and has since
devoted his time and talents mainly to the study and
practice of homoeopathic medicine.
On the 25th of May, 1843, brother Caspar was
joined in matrimony with Sarah Ann Bogar. The late
Rev. Father Erlenmeyer presided at the solemnizing of
the marriage vows. Six children were born to them,
three of whom survive the father, who, with the be-
reaved widow, deeply mourn their loss.
Rev. Caspar had considerable literary culture. He
grew up under the rare tuition of the renowned Gen.
Helmuth Yon Moltke, whose picture adorns the wall
in one of the rooms of Mr. Caspar's house. Besides his
classical and theological training, he brought over with
him also a good military education. The Latin lan-
guage he had under quite easy control. His theologi-
cal instructions he received at the feet of his father. As
his family belonged to the higher walks of life in Prus-
sia, his father being Court preacher, he naturally fell
heir to all the advantages of a liberal education in the
various divisions of learning. Had he bent his efforts
to it more fully, he might have won poetic distinction
56 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
of weight and public notice. He left many short poems
of no inferior merit, which seem to have been the mere
overflow of a rhythmical nature that was continually
urging for an outlet. The sap of true, genuine wit is
felt to flow through every line of many of his poetic
effusions. A large vein of humor ran through his soul,
which emptied more or less into all his writings, as
well as social intercourse, in such a way, however, as
only to add life and flavor, instead of the most distant
savor of impropriety. His library consists of good,
solid standard works, mostly in German, and its pre-
ponderating character would indicate that his taste in-
clined him largely to the study of history, both ecclesi-
astical and profane.
As a minister of the gospel, brother Caspar never
forgot the divine requirement that a man be found
faithful. His sermons he wrote out in full in a book,
where they were preserved, and where they speak of
his patience and pains properly to feed his flock. The
fine hand in which he wrote them, shows that he did
not prepare his manuscript for the pulpit. All his ser-
mons were written in an easy, flowing style, full of
patriarchal simplicity, and were profitable for doctrine,,
for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in right-
eousness. He was no great pulpit orator, owing chiefly
to a weak voice, which made public speaking draw
heavily on his physical resources. He could keep no
surplus of reserve-power on hand, which made his de-
livery somewhat monotonous. His ministry, however,
proved very acceptable, and he had bound his members
to himself by chords of affection so true and strong that
REV. ADOLPH B. CASPAR. 57
the twenty-two years since he ceased to be their pastor
could not weaken them. As a pastor, his bearing was
faithful and sympathetic, and he moved among his peo-
ple with such grace and humanity, that all felt drawn,
easy and at home in his presence. When he retired
from the pastoral office, his heart stayed back in the
blessed work. He continued to attend the meetings of
Classis until within a few years, and shrank from no
work assigned him. He served on a great many com-
mittees of installation, and his addresses to pastor or
people were always peculiarly happy and forcibly pressed
to heart. He also frequently preached for absent and
indisposed pastors and in vacant pulpits.
Socially, the departed was congenial and pleasant,
always in honor preferring others. How often he en-
livened the social gatherings of his ministerial breth-
ren, from his inexhaustible fund of good and ever fresh
anecdotes. As the retired pastor of the New Berlin
charge, his "relation to the regular pastor proved, in
every case, of a pleasant and useful character. His
counsel and services in the affairs of the congregation
at New Berlin and in the charge at large, had always
the good of both pastor and people in view, and were
anxiously sought and gratefully appreciated. While he
had to struggle and fight against an inflammable tem-
per, he was yet kind, and his heart had no room for
malice or hatred against any one. He was wonderfully
attached to the members of his own family. His great
fondness for his children seemed to grow with the weight
of his years. The nearer he could gather them around
himself, the happier he was. Next to his family, he
58 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
had a craving for the society of his brethren in the min-
istry. A visit of a brother to his house was always
better than medicine to cheer his spirit and revive his
drooping body.
Father Caspar's health was very unreliable for a
long time, but the decline of his physical powers be-
came especially unmistakable during the last year. He
did, however, not seem to be verging so near the brink
of the grave up to within two days of his departure.
On. Friday he took some exercise by a little work in his
garden. The next day he was prostrated by a stroke
of apoplexy and sank into unconsciousness till Monday
morning, when his soul took hold of angels' wings to
fly away and be at rest. His eyes having seen the
Lord's salvation, he longed, yea, almost fainted for
some time, to be left to depart in peace. Some mys-
terious voice had been whispering to him how near he
was to the shores of the narrow sea that divides the
heavenly land from ours, before it became otherwise
apparent. When his younger daughter, the wife of the
Rev. S. S. Kohler, came home a few days before he was
laid upon his death-bed, she pressed him to go along
home with her in three weeks. He replied : " In three
weeks I will be in that home which is far better."
Shortly before he died, a smile spread over his pale face,
which impressed itself so deeply that his corpse took
traces of it along to the grave.
He died at his comfortable home near New Berlin,
Union county, Pa., on Monday morning, June 5th, 1882,
at the age of 71 years, 7 months and 3 days.
The funeral services of the departed brother were
REV. ADOLPH B. CASPAR. 59
held on Thursday, June 8th. There were many people
on hand to show their tearful respect to his memory.
Many of those whose pastor he was twenty-two years
ago, had come from all the ends of his pastoral field, for
a farewell glance at the pastor's face, and to mingle their
tears with those of the sorrowing family. People who
recalled some special truth, or report, or promise, or
word of hope and comfort from his lips; people who
who could again feel his hands upon their head while
on their knees hard by the altar of God to receive the
rite of confirmation; people who were living over again
at his funeral, the joyous hours of the questions and
answers, and the hymns and prayers of the catechetical
class; people who seemed again to stand before him
with their precious infants, seeking for them the grace
God has promised to bestow through the sacrament of
baptism; people who re-heard his prayers by the bed-
side of their sick and dying, and who could again feel
the touch of his warm hand in their sorrow and bereave-
ment, and hear his solemn accents as he committed their
dearest ones on earth to the silent grave; yea, people
who remembered how he had taken them by the hand
when fallen, how he sought to wipe away their tears
when in trouble, how he rejoiced with them when they
rejoiced, and wept with them when they wept; all these
classes of people surrounded his grave into which his
body was hopefully laid to sleep till the call to rise shall
reach it. Of his fellow ministers there were present
Revs. J. C. Bucher, D. D , A. C. Whitmer, T. R. Dietz,
R. L. Gerhart, W. A. Haas, and Father Anspach, of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church, a bosom friend of
60 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
the deceased. All took part in the services. Dr.
Bucher preached the German sermon from Rev. 14: 13.
The sermon was full of pathos and comfort. It was
specially affecting when he compared his own emo-
tions on hearing of the death of his friend and brother
to the emotions of David when he heard of the death
of Jonathan, and when he repeated David's exclamation :
"O, Jonathan, I am distressed for thee, my brother
Jonathan; very pleasant hast thou been unto me.'' Rev.
Dietz, pastor elect of the New Berlin charge, followed
with an English sermon based on St. John 11 : 25.
Christ, as the life, was presented in this sermon with
such impressiveness that the vanquished power of death
shrunk altogether out of sight. The services were
throughout solemn, and seemed to be very comforting to
the bereaved family who have the sympathy of the
Church at large, and especially of the members of West
Susquehanna Classis, of which the departed was a be-
loved member.
REV. JOHN S. STONER. 61
REV. JOHN S. STONER.
1853—1882.
We have not had the pleasure of a personal ac-
quaintance with this young brother. His public life
and ministry were very short; but his record is fair,
and his influence was exerted in favor of the good and
the true. The following interesting account of his life
and labors is from the pen of the Rev. E. D. Wettach,
as published in the Heidelberg Monthly Journal for the
month of October, 1882. The writer says :
John S. Stouer was born in Stark county, Ohio,
July 27, 1853, and died in the city of Wooster, Sep-
tember 1, 1882, aged 29 years, 1 month and 4 days.
In early life he was drawn toward the profession of his
choice. Even before entering into full communion
with the visible church, he dedicated his life to the holy
ministry. To educate himself for the responsible du-
ties of life, he, in the Fall of 1870, entered the Academy
of Heidelberg College at Tiffin, Ohio ; and, in the Fall
of 1871, was admitted to the Freshman Class of said
institution. For four years he prosecuted his studies
with zeal and energy ; and, in 1875, he graduated, one
of a class of eighteen. He then entered the Theological
Seminary of the same place, and completed the pre-
62 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
scribed course of study in 1877. He was licensed by
the Synod of Ohio, at its sessions in Orrville, Wayne
county, Ohio, in 1877.
He entered upon the active duties of the ministry in
the Navarre charge, in July, 1878, where he labored
with abundant success up to the Autumn of 1881, when
he resigned this charge for a wider sphere of usefulness,
which he hoped to find in the town of Wooster, from
which place he had received a call.
About this time, September 6, 1881, he was united
in holy wedlock with a Miss Miller, of Eichville, Ohio,
who survives him to mourn her early and irreparable
loss. With high hopes and bright anticipations he
brought his young wife and entered upon his pastoral
work in the city of Wooster, in October of the same year.
How soon and how fatally were those pleasing anticipa-
tions crushed and those bright hopes and cheering pros-
pects nipped in the bud.
For about six months he continued his labors in his
new charge with earnestness and true devotion, when,
in the early Spring, he was taken with malarial fever,
from which he never fully recovered. After some im-
provement, his former trouble — inflammatory rheu-
matism— again took hold of him and caused him much
suffering; and then he was attacked with Bright's dis-
ease, to which his weakened body succumbed. He died
in the triumphs of the Christian faith, on the first day
of September, 1882, gently falling asleep in Jesus with-
out a murmur, without a groan. On the following
Lord's day his remains were laid to rest in the cemetery
at Massillon, Ohio. Appropriate funeral services were
REV. JOHN S. STONER. 63
held both at Wooster and Massillon. At the former
place the Rev. S. C. Goss preached a consolatory dis-
course in the Reformed church, on Phil. 2: 24. He
was followed by the Rev. S. B. Mase in a few choice
and appropriate remarks on the early departure of the
sainted brother.
At the latter placp, through the Christian courtesy
of the pastor, Dr. Bailey, and our esteemed friend and
brother, Elder Rex, the services were held in the Pres-
byterian church, the Rev. J. M. Kendig preaching a
very appropriate sermon from Rev. 13: 17, after which
his body was laid to rest in the beautiful cemetery at
Massillon. The funeral was very largely attended, both
at Wooster and Massillon. The congregation at Woos-
ter was deeply moved at the loss of their beloved pastor
and friend ; and many persons from the Navarre charge
which he had served so faithfully and well were there to
mingle their tears with those of his late members, and
of his bereaved wife, who so deeply suffered. That
hushed assembly spoke the word of our brother^s char-
acter and life. There were fourteen of his brethren in
the ministry present at the funeral services, besides the
pastors of the various churches of Wooster and Massil-
lon. Thus one who by nature was gifted for the work
of the ministry, and who was enriched by culture for
the successful prosecution of his chosen work, has been
cut down by the hand of death at the post of duty.
Brother Stoner appears to have been a young man
of excellent character, and a minister of great promise ;
possessed of good natural endowments, with thorough
preparation for the pastoral office, and a zeal com men-
64 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
surate with the importance of the work to which liis
life was honestly devoted. The Rev. Mr. Wettach, in
closing his remarks, says very beautifully : Earth has
lost one of her noblest sons ; the Church one of her
most devoted adherents ; the young wife a faithful and
loving Imsband, and society a useful member. ^^ Sweep-
ing through the gates, washed in the blood of the
Lamb/' he has entered into the everlasting realms,
where he now stands with Christ amid the splendors of
eternal day. It was his life-purpose :
" To honor God, to benefit mankind ;
To serve with lofty gifts, the lowly needs
Of the poor race, for which the God-man died."
Constrained by the love of Christ, he went forth
bearing the glad tidings of salvation to earth's perishing
children ; to bind up hearts broken and crushed by sin ;
to cheer the discouraged ; to strengthen the weak ; and
to encourage and help the poor. The indwelling Christ
was his inspiration and his hope. His ambition was
holy ; his aims and purposes high and lofty ; his mo-
tives were pure ; his character and life chaste and un-
sullied.
REV. JOSEPH B. THOMPSON. 65
REV. JOSEPH B. THOMPSON.
1820—1882.
Joseph BerDliard Thompson, a son of Edward F.
and Deborah Thompson, was born in Montgomery
county, Pa., Aug. 9, 1820. He was ' aptized in early
infancy, and, at the age of seventeen, confirmed by the
late Rev. J. C. Guldin, D. D., then pastor of the Re-
formed church at the Trappe, in Montgomery county,
Pa. Feeling himself called to the office and work of
the holy ministry, he entered the preparatory depart-
ment of Marshall College, at Mercersburg, 1840 or '41.
He passed through most of the classes in College, as an
irregular student, pursuing only a part of the regularly
prescribed studies. In the Theological Seminary, lo-
cated in the same place, he spent several years, and
finished his studies in 1847-48. Soon after completing
his theological course, he was licensed and entered upon
the pastoral work in the West, where he spent nearly
the whole of his ministerial life. The brief interval of
time which he spent in Western Pennsylvania, in the
interests of the Orphans' Home, and five years in the
Red Bank charge, in Clarion county, are the only ex-
ceptions to this statement.
The following account of his life and labors in the
5
6Q FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHL'KCH.
West is taken from an extensive obituary prepared by
the Rev. Frederick Strassner, and published in the Re-
formed Church Messenger of Nov. 15th, 1882. The
writer, who appears to have been well acquainted with
the deceased brother, says :
In the year 1848 we find him first in Mansfield,
where he preached his first sermon from the text, Exo-
dus 14 : 15, *'And the Lord said unto Moses, Where-
fore criest thou unto me ? Speak unto the children of
Israel, that they go forward." The record of sermons
preached shows his activity and extent of labor in des-
titute places ; often he preached in school houses. The
following were the principal places of his labors in
Ohio, for a longer or shorter period : Tarlton, Delaware,
Fremont, Sidney and Dayton. After being a short
time at Dayton, he was elected to the Superintendency
of the Orphans' Home at Butler, Pa., of vvhich he had
charge for seven years. Then followed five years' ser-
vice in the Red Bank charge in Clarion county. Pa.
Here his wife died and he was left with a family of nine
children, some of which were very young. In March of
this year he returned to Ohio, accepting a call from the
Canaan charge, Wayne county. Here he felt at home
among a grateful people, so much so that he desired to
establish himself permanently by marrying again, and
thus providing a companion in his labors and a mother
for his children. However, God disposed otherwise,
for the day before hi? burial had been set apart for his
marriage. The family consisted of eleven children, two
of whom are dead. The youngest child is seven years
of age. It was a sad duty to go into the midst of these
REV. JOSEPH B. THOMPSON. 67
bereft children, the larger number of whom needed pa-
rental care. However, we believe their lot has fallen
into a pleasant place, for the good people of the Canaan
charge will provide homes for them. We called a meet-
ing in the afternoon of the day of the burial, at which
meeting, a committee of guardians was appointed from
the consistory, and a committee to collect and pay funeral
expenses, and it was voted that the salary for the whole
year be collected and paid over to the guardians for the
benefit of the children. For all these kind offices of
love may the Shepherd of the lambs abundantly bless
the Canaan charge.
The circumstances of the death of Brother Thomp-
son are peculiarly sad ; he had served the good people of
the Canaan charge only seven months, but during this
short time had endeared himself and felt at home so much
that he desired to establish a permanent home at Canaan
with his family. The day of his marriage was drawing
near, but the day of his death preceded that event. On
the 6th day of October, 1882, he was suddenly felled by
a stroke of palsy, and, after remaining in a state of un-
consciousness until the 16th, he died at 3 o'clock, p. M.,
and was buried on the 18th day of October.
The funeral services were conducted by the under-
signed. Revs. Albert Gonser, Dr. Kem merer, Edwin
Beck and C. C. Ball. F. A. Owen, of the Methodist
Church, assisted in the solemn services. Brother Thomp-
son's age was 62 years, 2 months and 3 days.
We were personally well acquainted with the de-
ceased— knew him only as a good brother, a sincere and
earnest Christian, and as a minister of Christ, who hon-
68 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
estly sought to do his Master's will. In his private in-
tercourse he was modest and discreet, pleasant and enter-
taining, full of life and yet exceedingly guarded in what
he said and did. He was free from guile, and could be
confidently trusted as an honest man and a consistent
Christian. As a minister of Christ he was earnest and
faithful to the souls entrusted to his care and spiritual
supervision. May the influence of his unblemished and
devoted life remain with his children as a lasting bene-
diction. Bequiescat in pace.
REV. JOHN A. NICOLAI. 69
REV. JOHN A. NICOLAI.
1821—1882.
This brother was a native of Europe, having been
born in Hesse-Darmstadt, in Germany, August 7, 1821.
He emigrated to America when only ten years of age,
but where he made his home in this New World we do
not know. At the age of sixteen, having been previ-
ously instructed, he was confirmed, and thus received
into full communion with the Reformed Church. Where
he was then living we cannot tell, nor do we know where
he qualified himself for the office and work of the holy
ministry. He, however, resided in the West and in all
likelihood studied at Tiffin, Ohio.
In 1860 or '61, he was licensed to preach the Gos-
pel by the Miami Classis, Synod of Ohio,* and was soon
afterwards ordained and set apart to the holy ministry
either by the same Classis or the St. Joseph's, to which
he was about this time dismissed. We are not able to
say where he exercised his ministry in the interval be-
tween this time and 1870, when we find him stationed
at Fulton, Fulton county, Indiana, as there is no record
of his labors during this period. In 1872 he was liv-
ing at Goshen, Elkhart county, Indiana, and continued
* Minutes Ohio Synod, If 61, p. 17.
70 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
here until the year 1874 or '75, when he removed to
Abilene, Dickinson county, Kansas, where, with the ex-
ception of a brief residence at Wathena, in the same
state, he remained up to the time of his death, which
occurred Nov. 20, 1882, making his age 61 years, 3
months and 13 days. He left a widow, and seven
brothers and sisters to mourn his departure.
We have no knowledge, personally, of Mr. Nicolai's
character, either as a man or as a minister of the Gos-
pel. His public life and ministry extended over a per-
iod of twenty-one years; and, so far as we are able to
judge, he was faithful and true to his high and holy
calling. This is all that can be expected of a servant of
the Lord, who alone is the "Judge of the quick and the
the dead."
REV. PAUL J. RUETEXIK. 71
REV. PAUL J. RUETE>^IK.
1846—1882.
Mr. Ruetenik was born in Xeu Lewin, some twenty-
eight or thirty miles from Berlin, Prussia. He was the
son of a minister of the gospel, and one of a family of
fourteen children. His father, who was a country pas-
tor, was a good and earnest man, and lived in great
simplicity with his large family, desiring above all
things to raise his children in the fear of God, and to
train them for virtue and piety, and so fit them for use-
fulness in the world.
In an obituary prepared by his elder brother, the
Rev. Dr. H. J. Ruetenik,* we are told that the paternal
home was a genuine rural parsonage — that the inmates
had little intercourse with the outside world — that the
acquisition of useful knowledge was far more highly
prized than the accumulation of wealth and temporal
possessions. Their father. Dr. Ruetenik tells us, himself
attended to their education and taught them until they
were sufficiently advanced to enter the higher schools.
In thus training them, he sought especially to inculcate
the virtues of thoroughness, of fidelity and of an earnest
* See "Hausfreund," Jan. 4, 1883, and also " Ref. Ch. Mess.,"
Dec. 20, 1882.
72 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
striving after the truth ; warning them against the cun-
ning devices of the world, so much in vogue, by which
to secure popularity, eminence, influence and wealth.
Our enjoyments, says he, were the pleasures of the gar-
den, of home, and the more refined enjoyments and
spiritual relish of good books.
The wish of the excellent father was that all his
sons might become ministers and the daughters teach-
ers. With this end in view did he raise and train
his children. During many years he daily taught them,
without any other instructor, and spared no labor or
expense in the accomplishment of this object.
Speaking of the mysterious Providence by which he
and his brothers were led, and finally brought to realize
the praiseworthy designs and wishes of the father, he
refers to the sentiment expressed in a certain hymn —
that man himself, as well as all his thoughts and plans,
must first perish before their object can be fully real-
ized. Before our high ideals and praiseworthy antici-
pations can become real, we must be disappointed and
learn to practice self-denial — in short, renounce our own
wishes and plans. Thus it happened, says he, that our
father also had to renounce his hopes, and be, for a
time, disappointed in his aims, before he could rejoice
in the accomplishment of his purposes.
The oldest of the brothers, who had entered upon a
course of theological study, abandoned his original plan
and became a teacher in a gymnasium. The second of
the sons was compelled to leave the university, and to
emigrate to America in consequence of his participation
in the revolutionary movements of 1848. The third of
REV. PAUL J. RUETENIK. 73
the family, after having completed his theological studies,
could not attain to the strength and clearness of faith,
which he deemed necessary to an honorable and success-
ful prosecution of the pastoral work. He exchanged the
ministerial calling for that of a teacher.
Soon, however, things changed and assumed a more
pleasing and encouraging aspect. When human wis-
dom and prudence had completely failed, then the di-
vine wisdom and the precious grace of God ordered all
things so as to bring the venerable father's wishes to
pass. About the same time one of the brothers became
seriously impressed and religiously inclined, in Europe,
and the other one in this country; and eventually both
devoted themselves to the holy ministry. A few years
later came the two brothers, the one to Tiffin, Ohio,
where he studied theology, the other — the younger one
— to Wisconsin, where he, also, in connection with the
Mission House, entered upon and completed a course of
study preparatory to the holy ministry. Before the
death of their pious father, all the surviving sons were
engaged in the work of preaching the Gospel.
Paul, the youngest of the brothers, had originally
qualified himself for an architect and had gone to South-
ern Russia in order to superintend the construction of a
railroad there, in the practice of his profession. Subse-
quently, as stated, he emigrated to America, remaining
for several years in Cleveland, Ohio. Here his mind
became seriously impressed, and when, shortly after-
wards, his elder bi other, the Rev. Dr. H. J. Ruetenick,
removed to Wisconsin, Paul accompanied him to his
new home, and there, in 1871, entered upon a course of
74 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
theological study in the Mission House at Sheboygan.
After the completion of his course, he took charge of a
congregation in Washington county, Wisconsin, having
been licensed by the Classis of Sheboygan, and subse-
quently ordained to the ministry of reconciliation.
While serving this congregation, he was united in
wedlock with Miss Martha Wagner, an inmate of his
brother's family, where he formed her acquaintance.
From Wisconsin Mr. Ruetenik was soon afterwards
called to Gasconade county, in the state of Missouri,
where he faithfully served a small congregation, until
he was obliged to relinquish his work in consequence of
failing health. His physical condition admonished him
that his time on earth was short and uncertain. He felt
satisfied that his work was done. The future, with its
blissful prospects, was his great comfort and brightened
his hopes. His only concern now was to arrange his
earthly affairs as well as he could do so under the cir-
cumstances. He made all possible provision for his
family, and faithfully attended to their wants. After
having secured a successor for his charge, he retired
from the same and removed to his brother-in-law, the
Rev. Isaac Matzinger, in Clay City, Indiana. Here he
arrived with his family early in the Autumn, and met
with such kind treatment, that he appeared to improve
so much as to cherish the hope that he might again serve
a small congregation. But, in this fond hope, he was
doomed to be disappointed.
On the 23rd of November, 1882, he was prostrated
with a stroke of palsy. He continued in an unconscious
state for several hours, when death came to his relief.
REV. PAUL J. RUETENICK. 75
He was buried on the following Saturday, Nov. 25th,
at that place. A number of the neighboring ministers
together with many of the private members of the
church attended his funeral. Thus closed the life and
ministry of this young brother in the thirty-third year
of his age. After life's cares and toils, he sleeps sweetly,
resting from his labors and his works do follow him.
76 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
REV. J. SAMUEL VANDERSLOOT.
1834—1882.
Mr. Vandersloot belongs to an eminently priestly
branch or family of the Protestant Church, and is con-
nected with a long and illustrious line of Reformed
ministers. His father, grandfather and great-grand-
father, as well as an uncle, were prominent ministers in
the Reformed Church. The two former were born and
reared in Dessau, Germany, but exercised their ministry
in this country. The uncle, the Rev. F. W. Vander-
sloot, was for many years the pastor of an extensive
country charge in York county, Pa. For the following
appropriate sketch of his life and labors, published in
the Reformed Church Messenger of Dec. 27, 1882, we
are indebted to the Rev. Geo. H. Johnston :
J. Samuel Vandersloot, son of the Rev. F. Edward
and his wife, the late Rebecca Vandersloot, was born in
Dillsburg, York county, Pa , October 20th, 1834, bap-
tized in infancy by his father, his uncle. Rev. F. W.
Vandersloot and his wife, being sponsors ; and he was
catechized and confirmed by the Rev. Jacob Ziegler at
Gettysburg, in his youth. In this period he learned the
printing trade at Gettysburg. For awhile he attended
Pennsylvania College, as student, though he did not
REV. J. SAMUEL VANDERSLOOT. 77
take a full course. Afterwards he read law, and was
admitted to practice at the Gettysburg Bar, January
17th, 1860. Soon afterwards he moved to Philadelphia,
was admitted to the Bar here, but did not devote him-
self to the practice of the law. In 1862 he began the
work of writing, editing and compiling works on Bib-
lical Literature for different publishers, and he continued
at this work until 1875. We have not access to a full
list of his labors in this department, but we can give the
following titles of books published as the fruit of his
industry : " Life of our Saviour with prominent events
in Gospel History," " Comprehensive and Explanatory
Bible Dictionary,'' "Church Dictionary;" "Popular
Commentary on the Bible," " Illustrated Practical Dic-
tionary of the Bible," " Inspired History of Jesus,"
with several others.
In 1874 he was licensed by the Philadelphia Con-
ference of the M. E. Church, to preach the gospel, and,
on the 30th of May, 1875, he took charge of the Mt.
Zion M. E. Church at Darby, a suburb of Philadelphia,
where he preached twenty months. Feb. 5th, 1877, he
was received by the Philadelphia Classis into the Re-
formed Church, as a licentiate, and on the 11th of the
same month he was ordained and installed pastor of St.
John's Reformed Mission, West Philadelphia, by a
committee of Classis consisting of Revs. Dr. P. S.
Davis, S. R. Fisher and F. K. Levan. He served this
Mission until the 8th of June, 1881, when the pastoral
relation was dissolved. On the 31st of August, 1881,
Philadelphia Classis confirmed a call to him from Grace
Reformed Mission at Tenth and Dauphin streets, this
78 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
city, and he was pastor here until the 2nd of October,
1882, when the relation was dissolved, although he re-
signed in June previously, on account of failing health.
Mr. Vandersloot was married to Miss H. Daisy
Cloud, August 27th, 1863. Eight chlidren weie born
in this home, four of whom, three daughters and one
son, survive him.
Mr. Vandersloot was of Reformed stock through
his ancestry, and, although he was for a time connected
with the M. E. Church as layman and licentiate, he felt
that the Church of his fathers was his proper spiritual
home, and in it he preferred to labor. Becoming ac-
quainted with Rev. Dr. S. R. Fisher, it was not long
until he returned to the bosom of his first love, and then
he at once entered upon the work to which he devoted
the balance of his days.
The deceased was not strong of body. For years
he struggled with physical infirmities, which at last vi-
tiated the functions of the heart and thus ended his life.
While the body was frail, the mind was active.
This is indicated by the amount of work he did. Be-
sides editing books, he frequently wrote for the press,
in addition to his labors for the pulpit. He was also
zealous in the Master's work. His was an energetic,
hopeful spirit. He looked on the brighter side of life.
While the horizon was overspread with clouds, he dis-
cerned by faith the light in the clouds. As a preacher
he was earnest and ready. He magnified his office by
exalting Christ as the Saviour of men.
The two missions with which he was connected as
pastor in this city, were difficult of cultivation. It
EEV. J. SAMUEL VANDERSLOOT. 79
was hard, self-denying work he had to do. The sup-
port was meager, if not inadequate. He was anxious to
see the work prosper in his hands. But his health was
precarious, and often he was unable to fill his pulpit.
Last summer he was very sick, but rallied, and his
friends hoped for his recovery. But the end came
apace, and on the morning of the 6th of December, 1882,
he fell asleep, aged 48 years, 2 mouths, and 16 days.
He told us during his illness he would like to get well
that he might live and work for Christ, but he was re-
signed to the Providence that directs our ways.
The funeral took place from his residence in West
Philadelphia, on Saturday, December 9th. He was
buried in Fernwood cemetery. Rev. Geo. H. Johnston
had charge of the services and preached a sermon on the
minister's life, in relation to suffering and glory. Revs.
C. G. Fisher, Drs. D. E. Klopp, P. S. Davis and J. I.
Good took part in the services. The choir of St. John's
Mission, which he had served, sang several hymns.
Revs. J. K. Plitt and Holman of the Lutheran Church
were also present. Revs. Dr. P. S. Davis, J. P. Stein, A.
R. Thompson and J. I. Good acted as bearers. Rev. J.
P. Stein read the service at the grave. We also noticed
the presence of Rev. VY. F. P. Davis, who however took
his place among the relatives of the deceased.
It is a sad home for the widow and fatherless child-
red. How dreary are some of the sorrows of our pil-
grim state? But the God of the convenant will make
His bow to span the way of His children out to the end,
and the while dispense grace and help to every member
of His family. His promises are especially pledged in
their behalf.
80 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
REV. JACOB WEAVER.
1810—1882.
Mr. Weaver exercised his ministry exclusively in the
Western States. He was, however, originally from the
East — a native of Middletown, Md., where he was born
January 28, 1810. He was the second son of Philip
and Mary Weaver, both of whom were members of the
Reformed Church.
We had not the pleasure of a personal acquaintance
with the deceased, and cannot, therefore, speak of him
from our own experience. He is, however, spoken of
in the highest terms by those who knew him. He was
baptized by the Rev. Daniel Wagner, of blessed mem-
ory, and subsequently confirmed by the Rev. Dr. J. C.
Bucher, May 8th, 1830. His childhood and youth were
spent in the place of his nativity. He was already
pretty well advanced in years when he entered the min-
istry. What his early educational advantages were, we
are not able to say, but presume that they were such as
the common schools then and there afforded, and that
these were used without any distinct reference to the
work of the ministry to which he was subsequently
called. Such also is the opinion of the Rev. T. F. Hoff-
meier, the present pastor at Middletown. The Rev.
REV. JACOB WEAVER 81
Hiram ShauU, in an elaborate obituary* tells us that
Brother Weaver commenced his special preparation for the
office of the Christian ministry several years after he was
married, under the private instructions and direction of
the Rev. A. P. Frieze and concluded them under the
Rev. Dr. C. F. McCauley, who was at that time pastor
of the Reformed church at Middletown, and, after pur-
suing a regular theological course, was licensed and or-
dained to the office of the Christian ministry (I think)
by the Lancaster Classis, Synod of Ohio, in the year of
our Lord, 1847, on a call from the Jerusalem charge,
Fairfield county, Ohio. After a brief pastorate in the
Jerusalem charge, he received and accepted a call to
the Port Jefferson charge. Here his pastorate was
blessed with good results, but it was also brief. From
Port Jefferson he removed to the St. Paris charge. Soon
thereafter he felt himself impelled by a sense of duty to
accept of a call to the North Clayton charge. During
this pastorate he had his home in Gettysburg, Darke
county, Ohio, and while living here, his first wife died,
leaving him a widower with seven living children.
When pastor of this charge, he discovered that we had
a joint interest in the Salem church, Darke county. Ac-
cordingly he commenced holding regular services in this
church, which culminated in the organization of a regu-
lar Reformed congregation.
Shortly after this organization was effected, he re-
signed the North Clayton charge. He then removed to
Sydney. He, however, continued to preach to the Sa-
* See "Christian World," January 11, 1883, and also*'Ref.
Ch. Messenger," January 31, 1883.
6
82 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
lem congregation, and also to two small congregations
in Randolph county, Indiana., with great acceptance
until about the year 1878, when he felt impelled by
reason of age and failing strength to resign the two
churches in Indiana, and confine his labors to the Salem
congregation. Soon, however, he organized another con-
gregation in Shelby county, Ohio, known as St. James
congregation, which constituted a part of his future
charge. Here a new church building was erected. It
was dedicated to the worship of the Triune God, Sep-
tember 17, 1881. To this charge he preached with
great acceptance about twenty-two years. The people
were warmly attached to him, and now mourn because
he is not.
Brother Weaver was not a classical scholar; he how-
ever combined with a good common English education a
large proportion of common sense. Always modest and
retiring, he exhibited a meek and child-like bearing in
his intercourse with both the clergy and people. Hu-
mility, indeed, was one of the shining marks of his pub-
lic and private character. While he instinctively shrank
from public notoriety, yet he would on all occasions
most earnestly contend for what he considered Scriptural
and truthful. No oppositions or fear of the loss of pop-
ularity could drive him from his positions when once
taken. Never hasty in arriving at conclusions, he was
firm and steadfast in his purposes, and would most ear-
nestly contend for the iaith once delivered to the saints.
Possessed of a naturally methodical mind, he would
reach his propositions by graceful, free and easy steps,
which rendered him a workman who needed not to be
REV. JACOB WEAVER. 83
ashamed — an efficient minister of the Gospel. And yet
Brother Weaver, like all other men, had his faults and
besetraents. Though the spirit was willing, the flesh
was weak. Let us, then, who survive him, throw the
broad mantle of charity over these his shortcomings.
Let us strive to imitate his many virtues and avoid his
shortcomings.
As already intimated, Brother Weaver was married
the first time in Frederick county, Maryland, to Miss
Sophia Wise, January 17th, 1839. There were nine
children born unto them — three sons and six daughters.
Two of them died while quite young. The other seven
lived to become grown men and women, and were all
still living at the death of their sainted mother, which
occurred about twenty-two years since, in 1860 or ^61.
Subsequently to her's and prior to their father's death,
five of these seven children died, all of consumption, so
that there are at present but two out of the nine children
living.
On February the 12th, 1878, he was married the sec-
ond time, to Miss Rhoda Seitze, in Randolph county,
Indiana. From this last marriage, which was also a
happy one, there was no issue. He remained a widower
about eighteen years, and until all his children were
either dead or married, except his youngest son. He
was engaged in preaching the Gospel about thirty-five
years. He leaves a disconsolate wife and two children,
one daughter and one son, and six grandchildren to
mourn their irreparable loss.
He was a kind and loving husband, a doting and af-
fectionate father, an earnest and faithful pastor, and a
true Christian gentleman.
84 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
Brother Weaver died at his residence in Sydney in
Shelby county, Ohio, December 28, 1882, aged 72 years
and 11 months, of paralysis of the heart.
He was buried in Graceland cemetery by the side of
his former wife and children on the 30th of December,
1882. A large concourse of people attended on the oc-
casion, many of whom were his parishioners.
The clerofy present were, from the Reformed Church,
Revs. J. C. Beade, L. Clayton, and H. Shaull, and from
the M. E. Church, Rev. Daniel ^Strong. Rev. Beade
read the hymns and the Scriptures. Rev. H. Shaull
preached the sermon, and the Rev. D. Strong offered
up the prayer. Rev. Shaull also performed the Litur-
gical services at the grave.
Brother Weaver was a good Christian man, an ear-
nest and impressive preacher, popular and successful,
and a conscientious and devoted pastor. He combined
good natural gifts with an excellent Christian spirit.
His motives were pure and free from all selfishness.
He never prostituted the office of the ministry to unwor-
thy or sordid purposes. His ministry was one of love —
adapted to the spiritual wants of his hearers. He sym-
pathized deeply with his people in all their sorrows, and
their joys. Hence he was very popular among the peo-
ple of his charge. They loved him as their spiritual
father. His life and labors will long be kept in kind
and loving remembrance. Bequiescat in pace.
REV. CHARLES CAST. 85.
REV. CHxiRLES CAST.
1815—1883.
Mr. Cast was born in Ettlin^en, Grand Duchy of
Baden, Germany, on the 22nd day of February, 1815.
His parents, it seems, were members of the Catholic
Church, and their son was brought up in the same faith.
We was early inclined to the ministry, and in due time
entered upon a course of study with a view of qualifying
himself for the duties of the sacred office. After com-
pleting his preparatory studies, he was sent successively
to the Universities of Freiburg and Heidelberg. When
his literary course was finished, he returned to Freiburg,
and entered the Theological Seminary located in that
place, where he prosecuted his studies in divinity.
From his testimonials, which he subsequently brought
to this country, it appears that he stood well and main-
tained a good character as a student. In 1845, if we
mistake not, he was ordained to the priesthood. He
was called to Carlsruhe, the capital of Baden, where he
is said to have attracted considerable attention as a pulpit
orator. His preaching was bold and undaunted, and
rendered him conspicuous during the exciting events of
1848, when all Germany was agitated with a succession
of revolutionary movements. His relation to these ex-
SQ FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
traurdinary and stirring times had probably something
to do with his emigrating to America. At least such is
our impression.
About this time a change occurred in his religious
convictions, and in the general tenor of his life for the
future. When exactly he withdrew from the priesthood
and communion of the Catholic Church, we cannot say;
but in all probability it occurred about the time that the
events referred to above were transpiring. In the year
1850 he was married to Miss Catharine Woerner, his
present widow. Soon after this he came to this country.*
During the meeting of our Synod at Baltimore, Md.,
in 1852, Mr. Cast made application to be received into
connection with the same. His application together
with the accompanying papers were referred to a special
committee for examination. This committee subsequent-
ly reported during the sessions of Synod as follows :
"Your committee have carefully examined his testimo-
nials, and find them very satisfactory in every respect.
They have further examined him on the cardinal doc-
trines of Protestantism in general, and of the German
Reformed Church in particular, and take pleasure in
saying that the committee are satisfied as to his sound-
ness in the faith. They would, therefore, recommend
him to Synod for reception, and at the same time, request
Synod to appoint a special committee to aid him by its
counsel, and to give him all the instructions and direc-
tions which he may need because of his former ecclesias-
tical connection. ''
* "Ref. Ch. Mess.," February 7, 1883.— Obituary by Dr. Da-
vis, the materials for which were furnished by the Rev. Dr.
Nicholas Gehr.
KEY. CHARLES CAST. 87
In accordance with the requirements of the constitu-
tion of the Church, Mr. Cast appeared before the Synod,
and publicly declared that he renounced the erroneous
doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church, and cordially
adopted the doctrines of the Heidelberg Catechism, and
approved of the order and discipline of the Reformed
Church. After signing the formula prescribed by the
constitution, he was furnished by the officers of Synod
with a certificate of reception, and placed under the care
of the Classis of Maryland. The committee of super-
vision, provided in the foregoing action, reported to the
Synod, in 1853, that they had faithfully attended to the
duties assigned them, while Mr. Cast remained in Bal-
timore, and that their effi^rts were favorably received by
him — that shortly before Christmas, 1852, he had re-
moved from Baltimore to Hagerstown, Md., in order to
commence his labors there as a minister of the Reformed
Church.*
The Rev. Dr. Nicholas Gehr, who was then living
at Chambersburg, Pa., states, in a private communica-
tion, that he remembers Mr. Cast's first visit to that
place while on his way to Hagerstown to take charge of
our German interest in that place, where he labored
faithfully for a period of eight years — in the meantime
building a church for the use of the congregation. In
1861 he accepted a call to Martinsburg, Va., where he
remained about two years — up to 1863. After this he
was induced by the Board of Missions to go West and
take charge of our interest in Detroit, Michigan. There
he labored earnestly and with success for about three
* See Minutes of Synod, 1852, p. 25, and 1853, p. 104.
88 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
years, enlarging the church, and building a school house
and a parsonage. He then removed to Lebanon, War-
ren county, Ohio, where he remained about three years
— up to 1869 — when he went to Fort Wayne, Indiana;
and a few years later, in 1871 or '72, he removed to
Cumberland, Md. In both these charges new churches
were erected during his pastorates. After several years'
labor here, as missionary, he resigned the charge and
removed with his family to the city of Baltimore, where
he became pastor of the St. John's German congrega-
tion, remaining here three years — up to 1878 or '79.
With what success his labors were attended in this place
we cannot say. His last field of labor was Egg Harbor
City. It would seem that, while here, he had charge of
two congregations — the St. John's and Zion's. Here,,
after serving this charge some four or five years, he died
very suddenly and unexpectedly of apoplexy, January
2, 1883, aged 67 years, 8 months and 13 days. On the
Sunday preceding his death, Dec. 31st, he preached his
last sermon, on the text : " Hitherto hath the Lord
helped us." 1 Sam. 7 : 12. He had made an appointment
for New Year's day, but was not well enough to fill it.
His death, as already stated, was very sudden. He left
a faithful wife and five grown children — four well edu-
cated daughters and one son — to mourn his departure.
One of the daughters is married to a Mr. Swingham-
mer, of Egg Harbor City, and has two children.
The funeral of Bro. Cast took place at Egg Harbor
City — the scene of his closing labors — on the 4th of
January, and was largely attended. The services were
REV. CHARLES CAST. 89
conducted by the Rev. Drs. Wiehle and Kuelling, as-
sisted by the Rev. G. H. Gepp, of the Moravian Church.
The ministry of Bro. Cast, upon the whole, was an
earnest and successful one. As a preacher he stood
high, and was deservedly popular. Of his domestic
and social qualities we cannot speak definitely, not hav-
ing had any personal acquaintance with him. His labors
and cares on earth are closed, and he himself has gone
to render an account of his stewardship to his Lord and
Master. Blessed is that servant who, when the Lord
calleth, is found waiting !
90 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
REV. HENRY A. FRIEDEL.
1823—1883.
The following sketch of Mr. Friedel is from the pen
of the Rev. Dr. Theo. Appel. It was published in the
ilfessen^er of January 31st, 1883. As it gives a fair
and satisfactory account of the sainted brother, we use
it here with only a few slight changes and such addi-
tions as the case requires.
Pastor Friedel was born in Hamburg, North Ger-
many, of Christian parents, on the 8 th day of Septem-
ber, 1823. He spent his youth in a period when there
was an awakening to a new spiritual life in the father-
land, especially in the western part, along the Rhine
country, from Basel down to the ocean, which was every-
where attended with blessed fruits. Dr. Krummacher
was then in his prime, and the influence of his evangeli-
cal preaching was felt far and near. Young Friedel at-
tended his ministry, read his books, and was moulded
by his spirit. The revival of a true missionary spirit
in Germany, which was the outgrowth of this new life,
took hold of many of the young men in the churches
and induced them to devote themselves to the mission-
ary work in foreign countries. Dr. Krummacher's newly
awakened interest in the German churches of thiscoun-
REV. HENRY A. FRIEDEL. 91
try, after Dr. SchafTcame over, induced some to come
to America, where they are still laboring usefully in the
cause of Christ. Among these was Mr. Friedel.
Having received a classical education in the gymna-
sium of his native city, he came to this country in the
year 1848, with a view of preparing himself for the
ministry ; and here he pursued a course of theological
study in our Seminary at Mercersburg. He was licen-
sed and ordained by the Miami Classis, Synod of Ohio,
in 1850; see Min. O. Synod, 1850, p. 25. His first
charge was in the West, where he remained one year,
from 1851 — 1852. He then came to Philadelphia and
labored there about three years, during which time the
Bethlehem church, in which Pastor Gantenbein after-
wards served, was built by his diligence and activity.
After this he served a German mission in New Jersey
under the Board, some seven months ; but, regarding it
as not promising, he withdrew from the field, and con-
nected himself with the Dutch Reformed Church, very
much to the regret of his German brethren.
Having been born and reared in a large city, he
preferred laboring in a city, and for this he was best
qualified. In 1856 he took charge of the Duane Street
Evangelical Mission in New York, and continued in
this field for a period of ten years, laboring in season
and out of season, preaching the gospel and doing pas-
toral work. He succeeded in gathering together a con-
gregation of some four or five hundred members ; but
he found difficulties in properly organizing the material
on hand, and so, in 1866, he withdrew and took charge
of the Norfolk Street Church, which the Rev. Abraham
92 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
Berky, one of our ministers, had been serving. It was
made up of German Reformed people, but had also come
under the jurisdiction of the Dutch Reformed Church.
Most of the Duane Street members followed their pas-
tor to the Norfolk Street Church, which added very
much to its strength, and their missioii passed away.
Mr. Friedel remained in his new charge on Norfolk
Street also ten years, until 1876. The church is one of
the largest in the city, as it regards seating capacity, and
it had a membership of eleven hundred when he left it.
Here he spent the prime of his life, and his labors must
have been immense. He baptized children by scores
and the hundreds even during the year, and confirmed
as many as two hundred young people at a time. At
length he retreated from his heavy burdens, and sought
some relaxation from care in a quiet place on Long
Island, at Flatbush, where he served a small German
mission with acceptance for about five years.
The next time we heard of him he was at Wrights-
ville, Pa., in 1881, whither he had come to live with
his son, a physician, with the view apparently of with-
drawing from pastoral labors, for a while at least. But
he had not been there more than a few weeks, when he
reported himself for service to his Reformed brethren,
and he was placed in charge of the Zwingli Mission at
Harrisburg in the summer of 1881. He loved the
ministerial work, and seemed happiest when engaged in
its sacred duties.
He served the congregation at Harrisburg accepta-
bly for over a year, and his prospects of building up this
struggling mission were bright and encouraging. His
REV. HENRY A. FRIEDEL. 93
death, therefore, was a severe blow to it, and a loss to
the Church, which we hope aud pray the Great Shepherd
will overrule for good to us all. He was an admirable
German preacher, and would have graced any German
pulpit in this country. His language was pure, chaste,
and somewhat ornate, but not too much so. He had
learned much from Krummacher, not, however, by a
slavish imitation of his style, but by imbibing his spirit.
To us he seemed to have all the earnestness and strength
of voice of Krummacher himself. Few preachers,
whether English or German, we thought, could bring
more of the Gospel or evangelic truth into his sermon,
in a simple, artless manner.
Mr. FriedePs death was sudden and unexpected.
On a cold day in December, while attending a funeral,
he contracted a severe cold which settled in his face, ef-
fecting the bone and leading to inflammation. A tooth
having been extracted only made matters worse. Gan-
grene set in, and, after an illness of five or six weeks,
he fell gently asleep in Christ, January 15th, 1883,
aged 59 years, 4 months and 7 days.
His funeral took place on the 19th of January.
The Rev. J. H. Pannebecker, of Elizabethtown, preached
the German sermon. Text: 2 Kings 2: 12. The
Superintendent of Missions, Rev. Dr. Theo. Appel, and
the Rev. G. W. Snyder delivered addresses in the Eng-
lish language ; and the Rev. W. H. H. Snyder and the
Rev. A. S. Stauffer offered up the prayers in both lan-
guages. His colleagues in the ministry, who were pre-
sent, reverently assisted in removing his body to the
grave, amidst the subdued weeping and mourning of an
94 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
afflicted family and cougregation. There may it rest
until tae sea gives up its dead, and these vile bodies of
ours shall revive, and our shapes and faces shall look
heavenly and divine.
VVby was his stay so brief, why did he go
So soon, when waxes long and loud the cry
Of starving millions for the bread of life?
And why must he succumb to ruthless death,—
Die on the field with all his armor on,—
When sin's vile hosts in proud array come forth,
To bind both young and old in error's chains ?
Let sense be still, let reason yield to Faith :
See, Christ is on the field, and angels too.
And they who die in Him, still carry on
The war, stand in the bi'each, and give us help.
Till death is swallowed up in victory.
REV. ANDERSON J. WHITMORE. 95
REV. ANDERSON J. WHITiVIORE.
1846—1883.
Anderson J. Whitmore, third son of Samuel and
Sophia Whitmore, was born in Augusta county, Vir-
ginia, June 20th, 1846. He was baptized in infancy,
and being reared in the bosom of a Reformed family —
growing up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord
— his mind was early in life turned towards the office
of the ministry.*
His first direct preparation for the holy office was
begun at Otterbein University, Westerville, Ohio, where
he was confirmed. But he did not remain long in this
institution, feeling, no doubt, that it would be better to
pursue his studies in some institution within the bounds
and under the control of his own Church. Coming
East, he entered Mercersburg College, Mercersburg, Pa.,
where he took a full course of classical study, and from
which he graduated in the class of 1873. In the fall of
the same year he returned to Mercersburg and prosecu-
ted his theological studies in the post-graduate depart-
ment with Rev. Dr. E. E. Higbee and Rev. Prof. J. B.
Kerschner as his instructors, assisted during the last year
by the Rev. D. Y. Heisler.
* " Ref. Ch. Mess.," Feb. 21., 1883- Obituary by the Rev. B.
R. Carnahan, which is freely used.
96 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
In the spring of '76, before his three years' course
was quite completed, with the advice and consent of his
teachers, he was induced to leave the institution, to take
charge of a field of labor at MIddlebrook, within the
bounds of Virginia Classis. In May of the same year,
at the regular annual meeting of Virginia Classis, held
at Grace Reformed Church, near Mount Jackson, She-
nandoah county, Va., he was examined by a committee
of which the Rev. Dr. S. N. Callender was chairman.
This " fearful ordeal," as the brother called it, took
place under a large oak tree that still stands on the north
bank of Mill Creek, and which he pointed out to us.
On Saturday evening, May 20th, 1876, he was or-
dained to the Gospel ministry, and appointed to the
Middlebrook mission.
It was in this first field that his manhood, his zeal
for his Church, and his fidelity to the Master, were put
to the strongest test. This field was enough to try the
zeal and heart of any old and experienced minister.
Without a pastor for some length of time, and under
the most adverse circumstances — encroachments from
without, disaffections, decay and confusion within — the
work of disorganization had well-nigh ruined the charge.
Little remained of the Reformed church except the
name, with but one church building — St. John's — re-
maining as a rallying point for the scattered and dis-
heartened membership The parsonage, with a debt
hanging over it, and even advertised for sale, helped to
render the condition of the charge still more deplorable,
and to discourage the few faithful hearts that remained
true to the Church of their fathers.
REV. ANDERSON J. WHITMORE. 97
By the advice, and at the earnest entreaty of certain
members of the Virginia Classis, he was induced to leave
the institution in which his course had already been
broken in upon by frequent interruptions and embar-
rassments growing out of a scarcity of funds, and physi-
cal weakness from chills and fever contracted in the
West. This was a good "schooling;" for the difficul-
ties, hardships, privations and embarrassments previous
and during this period seemed only to prepare him the
more fully for the arduous and self-sacrificing mission
work to which he was called. At Middlebrook he
began the w^ork of resurrecting the dead and dying in-
terests of the Reformed Church; and the sacrifices, pri-
vations and difficulties he endured and surmounted in
doing what he so nobly and zealously did, none but the
self-denying missionary and his God will ever know.
In three years he not only arrested the disintegration of
the charge, but paid off the debt on the parsonage, built
a new substantial church — St. Paul's — at Newport, and
put the work of reorganization well under way. In
this work he had to be pastor, collector, treasurer, build-
ing committee and head workman; laboring with his
own hands, quarrying stone, cutting the timber, and
helping to build the wall, and working on the frame of
the new church. It may be well to remember, too,
that during all this labor his salary, at no time, exceeded
the sum of $400. The first year he received about
$270 ; the second, $325 ; and the third, $380. During
these years, burdened as he was with these outward and
temporal concerns, he found but little time to devote to
his studies ; and his preparation for the pulpit was
7
98 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
Decessarily partial and limited. And yet the intense
energy and earnestness of the brother naturally mani-
fested itself in the pulpit and compensated in a large
measure for the defects in style, diction aod finish of his
sermons.
After his resignation of the Middlebrook charge,
June 1st, 1879, he entered upon the mission work at
Mint Spring, a field adjacent to his former charge, in
Augusta county, Va. Here the same difficulties pre-
sented themselves, but his former experience was of
great account to him. He succeeded in erecting the
new Trinity Reformed church of Mint Spring, and
opened the way for the division of the Middlebrook
charge. In the short space of tive years he not only
worked up the Middlebrook field so as to become self-
supporting, but extended the work beyond it, so that
Classis could see its way to establish two charges with
the most encouraging outlook for both. Two new
churches, and we may say the parsonage which was ad-
vertised for sale, remain as monuments of his zeal and
energy.
In July, 1881, he resigned the Mint Spring mission
work, after which he was not regularly in charge of a
field of labor. Yet, although no field of labor present-
ed itself, he was not idle. He would not be idle. He
spent the Winter and Spring of 1882 in supplying the
pulpit of his brother, the Rev. D. M. Whitmore, in the
Friend's Cove charge of the Mercersburg Classis, whilst
that brother's declining health forbade his preaching.
He preached his last sermon in one of his mission
churches, St. Paul's at Newport, on Sunday before New
REV. ANDERSON J. WHITMORE. 99
Year, beiDgthelastday of 1882, from thetext, with almost
prophetic significance for him, '^ In the world ye shall
have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome
the world.''
On the 12th of October, 1880, he was married to
Miss Emma A. McMath, of Kerr's Creek, Rockbridge
county, Va. One child, a daughter, was given them as
the result of this union. In September, 1882, he re-
turned to Rockbridge counry, on a visit to his own and
his wife's relatives. Whilst here waiting for work in
the church, he was induced to take charge of a school
for the Winter, with the hope of being called to a field
of labor in the Spring. Here, in the midst of work,
with a large and interesting school gathered around him,
he was attacked with violent typhoid pneumonia, which
proved too much for a constitution already shattered by
overwork; and his busy life was ended on the 16th day
of January, 1883, aged 36 years, 6 months and 27 days.
His brother. Rev. S. L. Whitmore, of Middlebrook,
Va., was with him in his last hours, and helped to min-
ister in what human hands can do in the dying hour,
commending his spirit into the hands of the God who
gave is. He died a most peaceful and triumphant
death. Though frequently delirious during his illness,
his mind cleared up as the end approached. Blessed
indeed was the end — a calm and peaceful sleep. Well
may the witness of such a death say, **Let me die the
death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his."
Without fear or dread, with a smile upon his face, he
met the ^' last enemy," and conquered through Christ
Jesus — passing from the Church militant to the rest,
100 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
peace and joy of the Church triumphant. Scarcely at
the noontide of life, apparently, yet the Master, who
knows when the battles of His servants are fought, said
to him, "It is enough, enter into thy rest — enjoy the
victory/^ A bold, brave, earnest and most zealous
heart has ceased to act. A workman upon the walls
has fallen — one whose life and labors will speak for
themselves as the years roll on — his works will follow
him. His life needs no eulogy. His works are his
monument.
The body of the deceased was privately conveyed to
Middlebrook, and from thence to Mount Crawford,
where his father lives. His funeral took place on the
20th of January, at St. Michael's church, Augusta
county, Va. By request of the deceased brother. Rev.
B. E,. Carnahan preached the sermon. The clergy who
were present took part in the service. Rev. Dr. Callen-
der offered up the prayer, and the Rev. Jos. S. Loose
read the hymn.
His body now rests in the grave by the side of dear
departed ones, waiting for the general resurrection in
the last day, and the life of the world to come, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. "Blessed are the dead which
die in the Lord from henceforth : yea, saith the Spirit,
that they may rest from their labors ; and their works
do follow them.''
REV. CHRISTIAN KELLER. 101
REV. CHRISTIAN KELLER.
1834—1883.
This excellent Christian brother and faithful servant
of the Lord entered the sacred office somewhat late in
life, and, accordingly, labored in the vineyard of the
Lord a much shorter time than others of his age — only
about nineteen years. His ministry, however, was
characterized by great earnestness and zeal, and was
fruitful in good results. By birth and education he
was a European, but his public life was almost exclu-
sively spent in this country, laboring, first, as a mission-
ary in South America, and subsequently as pastor of the
Reformed church in Bridesburg, Philadelphia, where
he closed his earnest and useful life in great peace.
Mr. Keller was born in Schleitheim, Canton Schaff-
hausen, in Switzerland, Oct. 6, 1834.* He was dedi-
cated to God in holy baptism and subsequently con-
firmed as a member of the Reformed Church. Already
early in life his heart was powerfully drawn to the
Lord, to whom he consecrated his life. In the year
1860, at the age of twenty-four, he entered, as student,
* See obituary by Dr. Kuelling, in " Kirchenzeitung," Feb.
22, 1883; also " Hausfreund," Marc!) 1, 1883, and "Ret. Ch.
Mess.," Feb. 14, 1883.
102 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
the " Pilger Missions-Anstalt/' at St. Chrischona, Ba-
sel, in Switzerland, in order to prepare himself for the
work of an Evangelist and Missionary. After a four
years' course of training he was sent, in 1864, to Chili
in South America, to labor, in connection with the Epis-
copal Mission, in that country among the Germans and
Indians. His ministry here continued about seven
years, when, in 1871, he returned to his native country,
and spent about one year among his friends ; mostly,
however, in Schaffhausen, at St. Chrischona and at
Nonnenweier in Bavaria.
In the month of August, 1872, he came to America,
and, in the Autumn of the same year, accepted a call
to the Emanuel's Reformed church at Bridesburg, Pa.,
where he labored faithfully and with great success to the
end of his life — about ten years. This, as will be seen,
was his only regular pastorate, the earlier part of his
ministry having been spent in mission work in South
America, as already stated. Brother Keller was modest
and retired in his habits, and made little noise in the
world ; but, for this very reason, he was appreciated
and greatly beloved by his people, and also highly es-
teemed by his brethren in the ministry.
In March, 1868, Mr. Keller was united in marriage
with Miss Elizabeth Meier, of Neunkirch, Canton
Schaffhausen, Switzerland. She died April 10, 1873.
They had four children, of whom one only — the eldest
son — survived the father. On the 19th of December,
1873, he was married, a second time, to Miss Sophia
Fredericka Rein, a daughter of the Rev. Mr. Rein, pas-
tor in Nonnenweier, Bavaria. With this second wife
REV. CHRISTIAN KELLER. 103
he also had four children. One of these preceded the
father to the spirit land — three survive hira, and, to-
gether with their widowed mother and the son of the
former wife, are left to mourn his death.
Mr. Keller died of consumption, a lingering and
distressing disease. But, notwithstanding his great and
protracted sufferings, he labored faithfully up to within
a few weeks of his death, when he preached his last
sermon. Even up to the first of February he still con-
tinued to attend, regularly to the daily family devotions,
and thus set the example of a pious and devoted father
to his young and rising family, as well as that of a
faithful pastor to the members of his church. The
salutary influence of this good example, it is to be hoped,
will long continue to work and bring forth fruit — the
fruit of good living — among those who enjoyed the
benefit of his faithful ministrations.
His sufferings were at times very severe, particularly
so towards the close of his earthly pilgrimage ; but
especially distressing was his condition at night, when
his cough became very troublesome, and his respiration
difficult and painful in the extreme. On this account
he uniformly prayed, in connection with his evening
devotions, fcr God's sustaining and comforting grace.
With all his sufferings, however, he exhibited a spirit
of extraordinary patience and submission to the will of
God. His only comfort, during these painful and try-
ing seasons, was the atoning work of his blessed Lord
— to which he often referred with a loving and grateful
heart. One of his favorite expressions, during his suf-
ferings, was that beautiful saying of St. John : " The
104 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleacseth us from all
sin."
Even on his death-bed, brother Keller did not for-
get the duties of his sacred calling. Those who came
to see him were earnestly exhorted to give themselves
to the Lord, and thus prepare for the solemn hour of
death. And, as he tenderly and confidingly pointed
others to the Saviour for pardon and peace, so also did
he gratefully recognize and acknowledge the paternal
goodness of God to himself, in bringing him to a sav-
ing knowledge of the truth, and preserving him to his
end in this blessed fellowship of the saints. Among
other beautiful things, he said: "The Lord gave me
grace to exercise implicit faith in Christ ; and what I
preached to my parishioners, that I myself firmly believed.''
Brother Keller died, after a lingering illness, at
Bridesburg, Pa., on the second day of February, 1883,
aged 48 years, 3 months and 26 days. His funeral
took place on Tuesday, the 6th of February. He was
laid to rest in the Reformed cemetery at Bridesburg,
Pa., where his closing ministry was exercised. The
Rev. F. W. Berleman conducted the services at the
house. The remains were then taken to the church,
where suitable discourses were delivered by the Rev,
Drs. Knelling and Gehr, after which the Rev. A. A.
Dinsmore, of the Presbyterian church of Bridesburg,
made some remarks, speaking in high terms of the de-
ceased pastor and his work. Revs. Scheer and Neuber,
and the Rev. Dr. Davis, also took part in the services.
Besides these brethren, the Revs. Jas. I. Good, C. E.
W. Beyer and the Rev. Dr. Van Home of the Re-
REV. CHRISTIAN KELLER. 105
formed Church, Rev. Mr. Luckow of the American
Reformed, and the Rev. Thos. Harrison of the M. E.
Church, were also present.
Over the silent grave and amid the saddening asso-
ciations of a Christian burial, it is a joy unspeakable —
an inestimable consolation — to hear the sweet echoes of
the beautiful words of Jesus : " I am the Resurrection
and the Life : he that believeth in me, though he were
dead, yet shall he live : and whosoever liveth and be-
lieveth in me, shall never die."
106 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH,
REV. HENRY S. BASSLER.
1804—1883.
Mr. Bassler was one of our oldest and most esteemed
pastors. His life was one of great zeal, living faith,
ceaseless activity and persevering efforts for the good of
his fellow-men and the glory of his divine Master. He
was born in Lower Milford, Lehigh county. Pa., Aug.
11, 1804. His parents were Henry Bassler and Bar-
bara Schantz. After a full and thorough course of
catechetical instruction, under the Rev. Daniel Zeller,
he, in connection with his mother, was received as a
member of the Reformed church, at Zionsville, near
the place of his birth, by the solemn rite of confirma-
tion, having been also baptized at the same time and
place. His mother was of Mennonite descent, of ex-
cellent character, " whose patronymic he ever afterwards
affectionately carried along with his name in an initial
form, and whose kinship is large, but unpretending.
No ancestral prestige went before him, no smiling sur-
roundings cheered his young and tender years, no pleas-
ing prospects beckoned him on and upward." He was
born and reared amid circumstances that served in no
way to excite and call forth his youthful energies. Up
to his seventeenth year, when he identified himself with
EEV HENRY S. BASSLER. 107
the Church of Christ, he lived and grew up among com-
panions of like origin and circumstances with his own.*
His surroundings had little or nothing to do with his
subsequent life and history, except indirectly, perhaps,
in the way of helping him the more fully to appreciate
the blessings of a Christian training and higher intel-
lectual culture, which happily fell to his lot.
In early life Mr. Bassler was apprenticed by his
guardian to the business of a tanner. How long he
continued in the pursuit of this calling, we cannot say.
But it was during his apprenticeship, apparently, that
the higher life began to manifest its presence and power
in his heart. He felt the Master's call to come up
higher, and he was not slow to hear the call, and to
yield his young and ardent spirit to the drawings of the
Master. He determined to get up to the higher plane
to which the divine spirit was directing him ; and, con-
sequently, his name now appears on the " long list of
good and useful men who emerged from darkness and
vacancy, weighted and clogged from their early dawn,
into the light and significance'' of a noble calling and
a blessed life-work well performed.
Under the faithful preaching of the Rev. Daniel
Zeller, and especially in connection with his catechiza-
tion, baptism and confirmation, he first came to a clear
consciousness of this higher call — the call to the Christ-
ian ministry. According to his own declaration, "the
desire to enter the ministry pressed evenly, heartily and
steadily upon him ; but the gateway seemed to him
*-See Rev. Dr. Welser's Funeral Discourse, " Ref. Ch.
Mess.," March 7th and 14th, 1883.
108 . FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
not only narrow, but actually shut — barred to all youths
of his means in that day." But the youthful aspirant,
also, knew that with God all things were possible, and,
that He who had given the new impulse to his spirit,
would likewise open the way for his admission to the
sacred office. "The door by which he was to enter
upon the choice calling of his life opened simultane-
ously with his mature manhood — the one was pushed
ajar as quietly and as easily as the other. Nor was he
the worse prepared in body and mind, because of the
lateness of the hour. He had grown and gained expe-
rience under the discipline of a useful trade. His faith
and convictions had been solidified." He was thus in
every way better qualified to enter upon a course of
study — able to appreciate the advantages offered to him
as a candidate for the gospel ministry.
When about eighteen years of age, Mr. Bassler ap-
plied to the Rev. J. William Dechant for counsel and
direction, knowing that he had been in the habit of pre-
paring young men for the ministry. "The ardent pas-
tor, who had proven himself so ready to conduct young
men into the pulpit, became the friend and preceptor of
young Bassler." He spent about four years, with but
slight intervals, under the instruction of father Dech-
ant. He commenced, as his want of previous training
required, at the very rudiments of mental culture. "And
herein," says Dr. Weiser, " we may see another evidence
of the earnestness of his conviction, as well as a genuine
proof of his humility, that he patiently and persistently
devoted himself to such a tedious process of sub-soiling.
Having denied himself, he took up his cross, and car-
REV. IIENRT S. RASSLER. 109
ried it over the entire way then open to a candidate for
the Reformed ministry."
Having completed his studies under pastor Dechant,
and having imbibed something of the missionary spirit
of his preceptor, he was ready at once to undertake,
what was then very common, a missionary tour to the
South. Quite a number of our older ministers were
thus initiated into their ordinary pastoral work. It was
a good and wholesome discipline for the young begin-
ner, besides being a source of great joy to our destitute
people in the South, and in other parts of the country
thus visited. It was, however, a very serious under-
taking at that early period of our history. Many hard-
ships fell to the lot of the young missionary. " More
interesting than a romance is the story of Mr. Bassler's
ride, on horseback, from Pottstown, Pennsylvania, to
Guilford, !North Carolina, more than seven hundred
miles. How he fared along and over the route — a pil-
grim of the lonely way, the hospitality he received at
the hands of noble and ignoble householders, the knowl-
edge he gained outside of books and his local horizon,
his many weeks and months of experience away from
the warm fireside and warmer heart of Domine Dech-
ant— his history as an Evangelist, the aged pastor told
with much unction in later years.''
After spending about one year in this missionary
work, going about from place to place, visiting the sick,
the destitute and the bereaved, and preaching to them
the gospel of God's grace, and administering to such as
sought them, the consolations of the Church, he returned
to Pennsylvania ; and deeply feeling his need of more
110 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
thorough preparation for the ministry, he now entered
upon a better and fuller course of theological training
than he had hitherto enjoyed. Anxious as we was to
preach the gospel, he too deeply felt his need of addi-
tional training, and too greatly feared his disqualifica-
tion, to enter immediately upon his life-work. After
completing a two years' course of study in the Theo-
logical Seminary, located at Carlisle, Pa., he applied
for licensure and ordination. At the Synod of Leb-
anon, in 1829, he was examined and approved, as being
qualified for the sacred office, and was accordingly li-
censed to preach the gospel.* Nor were his ministerial
brethren disappointed. "The Church had no truer son
or more faithful servant. At the ripe age of twenty-
five, after five years of earnest study and one year's
practical work, he reached the goal for which he sighed
and lawfully strove from his boyhood."
His first charge was Beaver Dam, in Union — now
Snyder — county, Pa., where he labored about four
years, 1829^-1833. During this pastorate, in the month
of October, 1831, he was united in marriage to Miss
Mary Rebecca Dechant, a daughter of his kind and ven-
erated friend and preceptor. His second pastoral charge
was composed of Hilltown and Boyertown, located in
parts of three counties — Berks, Bucks and Montgomery
— in Eastern Pennsylvania. This pastorate lasted about
ten years, from 1833 to 1843. He then removed to
Lykens Valley, in Dauphin county. Pa., where he faith-
* For ordination lie was referred to the Classis within whose
bounds he might be called to labor— the Susquehanna Classis.
See Syn. Min., p. 38, 1829, and p. 30, 1830.
REV. HENRY S. BASSLER. Ill
fully ministered to the people of his charge for the space
of eight years, from 1843 to 1851, establishing himself
firmly in the affection and confidence of his grateful
parishioners. He now returned to his native county,
Lehigh, becoming pastor of the Millerstown charge,
and continuing in the same from 1851 to 1854. Re-
turning to Lykens Valley, he once more served his
former charge for about two years, from 1854 to 1856.
He now removed to Pleasant Grove, in Fulton county,
Indiana, where he preached two years, from 1856 to
1858 ; when he passed over to Forreston, Ogle county,
Illinois. Here he remained only one year, from 1858
to 1859. His next field of labor was Berrysburg,
Dauphin county. Pa., where he remained up to 1865,
about six years ; when he returned for the third time
to Lehigh, his native county, and became pastor of the
Zionsville charge, remaining six years, from 1865 to
1871. This pastorate, as will be seen, was in the sec-
tion of country where he was born and raised. From
this place he moved to Hegins in Schuylkill county.
Pa., where he preached six years, from 1871 to 1877.
This was the last regular charge that he served. After
closing his labors here, and feeling the rapidly accumu-
lating weight of years, and the wear and tear of a long
and stirring life and of earnest public service, he moved,
in 1877, to Millersburg, Dauphin county. Pa., to spend
the remaining years of his life in peaceful retirement.
As already stated, Mr. Bassler was married, Octo-
ber, 1831, to Miss Mary Rebecca Dechant, a daughter
of the Rev. J. William Dechant, under whom he pros-
ecuted his studies preparatory to the holy ministry.
112 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
They lived together fifty-seven years and had eleven
children — seven sons and four daughters — eight of
whom, namely four sons and four daughters, survived
their father. Three of the sons, together with their
mother, preceded the father to the spirit world. One
of the daughters is married to the Rev. William M.
Landis, a worthy minister of the Reformed Church.
Father Bassler died at his residence in Millersburg,
Dauphin county. Pa., February 17, 1883, aged 78 years,
6 months and 6 days. His funeral took place on
Wednesday, February 21st, and was largely attended.
Besides the other clergymen, there were present the
Revs. Frederick W^., Augustus L. and George B. Dech-
ant, brothers-in-law of the deceased, and the Rev. W. M.
Landis, his son-in-law. The Rev. C. Z. Weiser, D. D.,
preached the funeral discourse on the solemn occasion,
from John 5 : 35. The brethren T. J. Barkley, A. R.
Hottenstein, A. S. Stauffer, W. G. Engle and J. B.
Kerschner, of the Reformed Church, and Montgomery,
of the M. E Church, were also present and took part
in the services.
To form some estimate of the nature and extent of
father Bassler's labors, it is sufficient to state that his
ministry extended over half a century of time — that he
is supposed to have travelled at least one hundred and
fifty thousand miles in the discharge of his pastoral du-
ties— that he preached five thousand sermons, attended
fifteen hundred funerals, baptized two thousand chil-
dren, confirmed about one thousand persons and sol-
emnized five hundred marriages — besides holding seven
hundred communions, many of which were preceded by
REV. HENRY S. BASSLER. 113
long and laborious courses of catechetical instruction.
Add to this the large amount of time spent in visiting
the sick and attending to other pastoral duties, and you
have before you the spectacle of a great and noble work
crowded into the fifty years or more over which his la-
borious and earnest ministry extended. Great, indeed,
must be the results of so long a service in the vineyard
of the Lord.
114 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
REV. JOSEPH HANNABERY.
1825—1883.
Mr. Hannabery was a native of Philadelphia, where
he was born in 1825. He lost his parents in early child-
hood, and was then placed with a farmer not far from
the city. Subsequently, at the age of sixteen, he went
to Pleasantville, Montgomery county. Pa., and was ap-
prenticed to Mr. John McKinney, who carried on the
blacksmithing business in that place. It was during
his apprenticeship that he became a member of the Re-
formed Church, under the Rev. William E. Cornwell,
who was pastor of the Pleasantville and Boehm's con-
gregations. This happy event took place on the first
day of May, in the year 1847, he being then about twen-
ty-two years of age.
After his union with the Church, Mr. Hannabery
felt deeply impressed with the idea that he ought to
preach to others the precious Gospel of Christ by which
he himself had been made happy. His anxiety in ref-
erence to this point was very great, so that he was deep-
ly distressed. The Lord, who had called him to His
kingdom and glory, now also, when he freely offered
himself for the work of the ministry, and knew not
whence to secure the necessary funds, very particularly
REV. JOSEPH HANNABERY. 115
and most tenderly cared for him in this new trouble, and
graciously disposed the hearts of His people to provide
means for His poor servant, so as to help him into the Gos-
pel ministry. Although the church at Pleasantville was
at that time poor in means and weak in point of numbers,
yet they felt the claims of God upon their charity. The
ladies of the congregation kindly made him up a suit of
clothes, and the male members furnished him with some
of the needed funds to enable him to pursue his studies
at the college and seminary.* Being thus aided by the
kindness of friends, and put into a position to enter
upon his studies preparatory to the work of the minis-
try, he went to Mercersburg, Pa., where he entered with
earnestness and zeal upon his literary course. In order
to enable him to go forward in this good work, and be
less burdensome to his friends, he also engaged at times
in the work of selling good books, thus securing addi-
tional funds and doing good at the same time.
We are told that in the community where the poor
orphan was found, and where he identified himself with
the people and cause of God, he was highly esteemed —
that " he was loved and respected" by all the people.
This speaks well both for himself, and for the good peo-
ple of Pleasantville. And that their confidence was
not misplaced, his entire subsequent history abun-
dantly proved. The good sense, and the deep, earnest
and substantial piety of brother Hannabery were every-
where manifest — both during his student life and amid
the diversified labors and toils of his public ministry.
* These facts in reference to brother Hannabery's early life
were kindly furnished by his son.
116 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
He was a sincerely good man, and did all in his power
to show his heartfelt gratitude to God for having called
him to this great and glorious work.
The Rev. Dr. Bausmaii, in speaking of his student
life says: "It was about the year 1848 or ^49, that on a
certain evening brother Hannabery arrived at Mercers-
burg. He was poorly clad, and for a beginner in a course
of college study, appeared somewhat advanced in life.
In physical appearance he was tall, slender and frail,
and appeared to be timid. Straitened in pecuniary
means, and up to this time deficient in educational ad-
vantages, it is no wonder that he felt at first somewhat
strange and lonely among his fellow students. Shortly
after his arrival, and before he had time to get anything
to eat, I passed the door of his room, which at the time
was slightly ajar, and there saw him already upon his
knees engaged in prayer. He felt himself called to the
holy office of the ministry. Great and serious were the
obstacles in the way of his entering that responsible of-
fice. He was poor in means, physically frail, had up to
this time enjoyed very little schooling, and at the same
time possessed only what might be termed ordinary
natural endowments. Most assuredly he must have been
influenced by a very strong sense of duty, otherwise he
would not have ventured upon so long and difficult a course
of preparation for the ministry. For many years he stud-
ied hard and faithfully, and laboriously plodded through
the entire course of study in both the college and seminary.
A part of this latter or theological course, however,
seems to have been merged into his college course. He
never knowingly neglected a single duty imposed on
REV. JOSEPH HANNABERY. 117
him, however hard and trying it might be. When his
turn came for an exercise before his fellow students in
the Prayer Hall or before the Literary Society, of which
he was a member, he always performed his duty as well
as he could, though well knowing that there were oth-
ers who could likely do it much better than himself."''^
Mr. Hannabery completed his studies at Lancaster,
Pa., in connection with tiie first class that graduated in
the new or consolidated institution — Franklin and Mar-
shall College, in 1853. He appears to have carried for-
ward his theological studies in connection with his col-
lege course very successfully, so that his literary and
theological studies were completed at or near the same
time. In the Autumn of the same year, October, 1853,
he was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Synod of
the United States, then in session in the city of Phila-
delphia, and placed under the care of the Philadelphia
Classis.f He was subsequently dismissed to the Classis
of Virginia, and by that body ordained to the holy min-
istry, in 1854, and installed as pastor of what was called
the Central charge, composed of New Market and Mt.
Jackson, in Shenandoah county, Va. He remained
here until 1856, when he became pastor of the Strasburg
charge, in Franklin county. Pa. After laboring here
iaithfuljy for two or three years, up to 1859 or ^60, he
transferred his residence and ministerial activity to
Schellsburg, Bedford county, Pa. Here he remained
up to 1862 or '63, when he removed to Sugar Grove, in
Fairfield county, Ohio. In this field he labored about
* See " Ifausfreund," March 15, 1883.
t Syu. Min., 1853, pp. 27—28 ; and 1834, pp. 15, 81.
118 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
five years, up to 1867 or '68, and then went to Shanes-
ville, Tuscarawas county, in the same state, where he
remained until 1870, when he accepted a call to the New
Providence charge, in Lancaster county, Pa., where he
exercised his ministry for the next five years, up to 1875.
In this year he became pastor at Baldwin, in Butler
county, Pa., and preached here till 1879, when he re-
moved to Ridgely, in Caroline county, Md., which charge
or mission he served up to his lamented death in 1883.
This was a new mission field, requiring a great amount
of labor and care, which he gladly and successfully be-
stowed upon it — the blessed fruits of which are his best
and lasting monument.
During his pastorate in the Strasburg charge, July
31, 1856, Mr. Hannabery was united in marriage with
Miss Kinsey, of South Easton, Pa., who, together with
three children, one son and two daughters, are left to
mourn over his death.
When brother Hannabery began his work on the Pe-
ninsula, he was physically strong aud healthy, but malari-
al fevers, excess ve labor, fatiguing journeys and various
other causes gradually reduced his system and under-
mined his health, until finally his constitution gave way,
and he fell a victim to these injurious influences. On
the morning of February 27, 1883, his spirit passed
into the hands of Him who gave it, as gently and
peacefully as the influences of God's spirit sweep over
the soul and awaken it into newness of life in Christ
Jesus. He does not seem to have been conscious of his
approaching dissolution. To those who only a short
time before his death conversed with him, he said in
REV. JOSEPH HANNABERY. 119
broken accents: "I shall yet preach the Gospel of Jesus
Christ." Deatii came, as is so often the case, stealthily
and without being suspected ; but though hushed be his
lips, and fixed in death his earnest features, yet to gen-
erations living and to come, his humble, pure and holy
life will continue to preach the blessed name of Jesus.
During four years of earnest and unremitting labors on
the Peninsula, he succeeded in organizing a small and
promising congregation at Easton, Md., and in greatly
furthering the work at Ridgely. The erection of a neat
and commodious church building at this latter place, en-
gaged the zeal and activity of brother Hannabery dur-
ing his last years on earth, and will ever remain a mon-
ument to his earnest and self-sacrificing ministry. He
will be gratefully remembered, especially by his devoted
parishioners, who enjoyed the benefit of his disinterested
la' ors. Nor will the Church at large be forgetful of
him or of his work. He did much good in his time,
and his name will be held in grateful remembrance by
all who knew him while in the Church below. During
a ministry of twenty-eight or twenty-nine years his life
was pure and consistent, and his ministerial course
marked by faithfulness and efficiency. His great aim
was to preach the truth, regardless of all else, save that
the name of Jesus might be exalted.
During the last year of his life, the health of Bro.
Hannabery declined rapidly. Consumption seemed at
work ; but malaria had already undermined*his system
and greatly exhausted his strength. Frequently he
reached his preaching points too much enfeebled to hold
120 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
religious services. On the last Sunday of the year pre-
ceding that of his death, he preached for the last time.
At the opening of the new year, he removed his family
from Millington to Ridgely, thinking that thus the ex-
treme exhaustion, caused by fatiguing rides, might be
prevented. The severe winter proved fatal to him, and
by the opening of February he was confined to the
house. He died peacefully on the 27th of February,
1883, aged 68 years.
His funeral took place on the 2nd of March, amid
the sorrows and tears of his family, and of his parish-
ioners, who esteemed and love him. The services, on
this solemn occasion, were conducted by the Rev. New-
ton J. Miller of the Reformed Church, assisted by the
Rev. G. W. Burke of the M. E. church at Ridgely.
There was little outward demonstration, no imposing
funeral procession, no flattering eulogies ; rather the
same humble lot which brother Hannabery had chosen
while living, was his portion in the disposition of his
remains. A funeral service characterized by pomp and
magnificence would have ill-befitted the last sad rites
of one who cared nothing for the honors of the world —
whose only wish was to glorify God in the salvation of
immortal souls.*
The funeral discourse of brother Miller was based
on Rev. 14 : 13, while the Rev. Mr. Burke spoke briefly
in commendation of his colleague's life and labors. The
grave of brother Hannabery is the first in the new cem-
* "Ref. Ch. Mess.," April 11, 1883, obituary by the Rev. New-
ton J. Miller.
REV. JOSEPH HANNABERY. 121
etery at Ridgely, which was procured by the congrega-
tion after the death of their beloved pastor, and, as it
would seem, for the very purpose of furnishing a suit-
able resting place for the precious remains of their spir-
itual guide and shepherd. In concluding his notice of
brother Hannabery's death and burial, Brother Miller
says very beautifully : " As we left the grave, we did
not carry with us the burdensome sense that all had
been interred in the disposition of his remains. Blessed
are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.
Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their la-
bors ; and their works do follow them.^^
The Rev. J. P. Stein, in speaking of the church at
Ridgely as an evidence of brother Hannabery's zeal and
success, says : " The most active spirit in the erection
of this church was its late pastor. With his own hands
did he cut away the under-brush, so as to enable the
woodmen to fell the trees that were given to the church
in out-of-the-way places. In this work his hands were
lacerated with thorns, so that the members felt humil-
iated when they saw him pleading with those scars, for
the good of their souls, at the regular Lord's day ser-
vice. From the cars of the passing train you can see
this cozy sanctuary standing as a monument to the self-
denial and energy of that man of God who was called
to his reward. No wonder that, when death laid its
hands on brother Hannabery, the members of the church
came and claimed his body for burial. On a slight
elevation, within sight of Ridgely, ground was bought,
after his death, for a cemetery, and the body of our de-
122 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
parted brother was laid in the centre of that burying
place, where the members will guard and keep green
the spot where lies the Christian hero who died a mar-
tyr to the noble cause of Reformed missions."
So sleepeth one of God's poor ones — rich, however,
in faith and abundant in labors — over whose precious
dust the blessed angels keep watch.
REV. DAVID MARTIN WHITMORE. 123
REV. DAVID MARTIN WHITMORE.
1843—1883.
David M. Whitmore, eldest son of Samuel and So-
phia Whitmore, was born in Augusta county, Va.,
April 24th, 1843. Baptized in infancy, brought up in
the nurture and admonition of the Lord, under pious
home training, and in the faith of the Church, his
thoughts were early turned to the Christian ministry. In
1861, just about the time he should have entered a school
of the Church, the civil war erected a barrier between
him and the Church schools, and it seemed for the time
that there was an end to his aspirations for the holy
office.* Being of sufficient age he was drafted into the
confederate service. From this service Providence res-
cued him, by an attack of fever contracted in the camp.
He was brought home, and under careful treatment
there, soon recovered, but not to re-enter the service.
His father procured a substitute for him. Soon, how-
ever, those who had substitutes were again drafted to
take their own places. Then it was that his heart was
tried. Should he re-enter the service with his friends
* This sketch was prepared by a younger brother of the de-
ceased—the Rev. Geo. A. Whitmore — and published in the
" Kef. Ch. Mess.," October 3rd, 1883.
124 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
and companioDS or should he forsake home and kindred,
and friends for the service of his Church and the call of
his Master ? He chose the latter. Perilous as was the
undertaking, and attended with danger at every step,
instead of reporting to the enrolling officer of the mili-
tary service, he crossed the lines and reported as early
as possible at an institution of learning, where he might
gratify the wish and desire of his heart in beginning a
course of study.
Otterbein University, at Westerville, Ohio, was the
first school he entered. Here in the academic depart-
ment he began the foundation of a classical course of
training.
After the close of the war he returned east, visiting
his home and friends, but not to remain with them.
Strong as was the call to stay and help repair what the
ravages and desolations of war had left behind, he still
felt only the more keenly, the call to prepare for the ac-
tive service of the Master.
In the fall of 1866, he entered the institution at
Mercersburg, Pa., being received under the care of Mer-
cersburg Classis, from which he received the needed
help with which to prosecute his studies. He at once
began a full classical course, and graduated with the
class of '72. His college course was one of trial, toil
and sacrifice. During the session he gave the closest
application to his studies ; during vacation his best
energies were employed to secure funds with which to
continue his studies ; and in this way he kept up a
brave, earnest struggle, until his course was completed.
In the fall of '72 he entered the junior class in the
EEV. DAVID MARTIN WHITMORE. 125
Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Pa., returning,
however, the following Fall to continue his studies in
the post-graduate department of Mercersburg College,
where he finished his course in May, 1875. Shortly
thereafter, at an adjourned meeting of Mercersburg
Classis, held at Mercersburg, Pa., he was examined and
licensed to preach the gospel, and having received a call
to become pastor of the Friend's Cove charge, he was at
the same meeting ordained to the holy office of the
ministry. Previously, however, he had been preaching
during vacation in his Theological course : serving ac-
ceptably a part of the Glade charge in Maryland Clas-
sis, while teaching school at Walkersville, Md., and
during his last year in the Seminary he served the Or-
bisonia Mission, going out to the field on Saturday and
returning to the institution on Monday.
Having accepted the call to the Friend's Cove charge
in Bedford county, Pa., he entered upon the active du-
ties of his office at once.
On the 8th of September, 1876, he was married to
Estella M. Stonebraker of Washington county, Md.
Being now settled permanently in his charge, he labor-
ed with commendable zeal and energy to advance the
work of the Church in all directions. The cause of
benevolence — missions, education and the orphans of
the Church — was remembered ; and in this way the
Christian liberality of his people was called out and de-
veloped. Among his last labors in his charge was the
erection and dedication of the new Reformed church at
Rainsburg. This, in addition to his other duties, prob-
126 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
abiy helped to hasten the symptoms of bronchial trouble,
of which he already had premonitions.
His labors were blest in his field, and his greatest
delight was in preaching the Gospel and declaring the
unsearchable riches of Christ. As his throat trouble
gradually assumed a more and more alarming character
during the Summer and Fall of 1881, it was his constant
dread, lest he should soon be called to give up his shep-
herd's crook aud cease preaching. This, however, he
was forced to do the same Fall, upon the advice of his
physician. His brother, the Rev. A. J. Whitmore, of
blessed memory, filled this pulpit until the following
Spring, when he resigned his charge, having served his
people acceptably and faithfully for about six years.
Here ended his active ministry. He was convinced
that his throat aifection was deepening into still more
serious pulmonary trouble, involving both luns:s. With
the sadness with which the wounded veteran leaves his
companions in the ranks and goes to the rear to die, he
turned his face from the active ministry, and from his
flock, and sought where he might recruit his shattered
health for the service again, or lie down in his own home
and die in peace. He moved with his family to the
vicinity of Martinsburg, West Virginia, in the Spring
of 1882, bought a small tract of land, built a house
upon it, and in the Fall moved into it, still hoping and
praying, if it were the Lord's will, he might be restored
to the active ministry again. This was his hope; this
the burden of his conversation, and this the Lord saw
fit to deny him. Two incidents served perhaps to has-
ten the end. One was the loss of his oldest son, a bright
REV. DAVID MARTIN WHITMORE. 127
and promising boy, during his last ministry in his
charge. And the other was the sudden and unexpected
death of his brother, the Rev. A. J. Whitmore, from
typhoid pneumonia, on the 16th of January, 1883.
These, under the circumstances of his declining health,
were a crushing weight to him.
Mr. Whitmore died, in the bosom of his dear fami-
ly, March 3rd, 1883, aged 39 years, 10 months, and 7
days. He died caliily and peacefully in the triumphs
of a living faith, to meet and greet those of his kindred
and friends who had preceded him into the spiritual
world. He leaves a widow and three little children to
the care of the God of the widow and the Father of the
fatherless. To Him they are affectionately commended.
His funeral service was held in the Reformed Church
at Martinsburg, attended by his family, relatives and
friends. Rev. J. A. Hoffheins preached an appropriate
funeral sermon, based upon St. PauPs parting words,
recorded in 2 Timothy, iv. 7 — 8 : " i have fought a
good fight ; I have finished my course ; I have kept
the faith : Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown
of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge,
shall give me at that day : and not to me only, but un-
to all them also that love His appearing." The Rev.
J. S. Kieffer of Hagerstown, and the Rev. E. R. Esch-
bach, D. D., of Frederick, Md., were present and assist-
ed in the service. Rev. J. S. Kieffer also delivered an
appropriate address during the service, in which he re-
ferred to his association with the deceased brother on the
Board of Regents of Mercersburg College, in Synod
and in other church work, where he always found him
128 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
a safe, prudent counsellor ; a willing, faithful servant of
the Church, and a firm friend.
We laid his body to peaceful rest in the beautiful
cemetery at Martinsburg ; there to await the final sum-
mons of those who sleep in Jesus. We shall venture no
encomium. He needs none. His active, busy life,
his triumphant death, speak for themselves, and silence
is most eloquent here. Peace to his slumbering dust.
REV. SAMUEL B. LEITER, D. D. 129
REV. SAMUEL B. LEITER, D. D.
1809—1883.
Dr. Leiter was one of the early and efficient laborers
in the great West — not exactly a pioneer in the strictest
sense of that term ; still one of the leaders of the Re-
formed Church in that interesting country, and, in a
certain sense, one of the fathers of the western Church
— a pioneer of the second order. Although an eastern
man — a native of Maryland, born, and reared and edu-
cated in the East, he exercised his ministry wholly in
the West, directing his steps to that section of our coun-
try immediately after the completion of his theological
studies, nearly half a century ago. He was in fact li-
censed and ordained to the holy ministry expressly with
a view to the missionary work of the Church in the West.
Dr. Leiter, it need scarcely be said, was a good man,
an earnest Christian, and an able and conscientious
preacher and pastor. His character and standing in the
Church were of the highest kind. He enjoyed the love
and esteem of the Church while living, and now that he
is gone to his rest, he will still be gratefully remem
bered by all who knew him, and especially by the many
pious souls to whom he so faithfully preached the Gos-
pel of the grace of God. Resting from his excessive
9
130 FATHEES OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
labors and toils, his works do follow him, as a pleasing
testimony to his fidelity, and a source of perennial bliss
in the presence of his divine Lord and Master.
The following full and accurate account of the life
and labors of the deceased brother was prepared presum-
ably by the Rev. S. C. Goss, and read in connection with
the funeral obsequies. We give the sketch with but
slight verbal changes and additions where these are
found necessary.
Samuel B. Leiter was born near Leitersburg, Wash-
ington county, Md., April 19th, 1809.* When yet a
young man, his mind was drawn towards the Christian
ministry. His studies, both collegiate and theological,
were pursued at York, Pa., at that time the seat of the
Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church, estab-
lished in connection with its Classical or High School.
Having completed his course of study, he was licensed
to preach the Gospel by the Maryland Classis in the
year 1835, at the age of about twenty-six years.
In November of the same year, he was ordained to
the Gospel ministry at Hagerstown, Md., preparatory to
going as a missionary to the then far West. Under the
direction of the Board of Missions he located at Mans-
field, Ohio. There and in the vicinity he preached for
a period of nine years, after which he removed to Rome,
in Richland county, where he lived and labored for the
next five years.
In these fourteen years his labors were of the most
arduous kind, such as were then incident to pioneer
* See obituary in the " Christian World," April 19, 1883. Al-
so "Ref. Ch. Mess.," April 25, 1883.
EEV. SAMUEL B. LEITER, D. D. 131
missionary life, and for which he was doubly fitted by
previous education, zealous love for the cause, a self-
sacrificing spirit and a strong physical constitution. His
next field of labor was at Navarre, Stark county, Ohio.
Here he lived and labored in a large and laborious field
for eighteen years.
In the Spring of 1868 he accepted a call to the
Union charge, and moved to Wadsworth, Ohio, in the
midst of the congregations of his pastoral charge. He
continued in the pastorate of this charge for a little over
fourteen years, until his labors were interrupted by his
severe illness and impaired health, nearly a year pre-
vious to death, which took place March 31st, 1883, the
fifteenth anniversary of his removal to his last field of
labor.
The last year of his life and ministry was made
eventful, not only by severe affliction, but by patient
and heroic Christian endurance. The character of the
man and minister were both tried and exemplified dur-
ing this last suffering year of his life. When he was
weak, he was strong ; when he was under the cloud, he
was still cheerful and hopeful.
When severely afflicted in July, 1882, one of the
several severe attacks which he suffered, he was both a
wonder and a joy to the many who will never forget his
earnest words of exhortation. Was it delirium or pecu-
liar inspiration incident to being carried to the border
of the heavenly world ? We do not say, but rather ex-
press the hope that these last and most earnest of his
exhortations may be as a new inspiration to both min-
ister and people in the remaining duties of our lives.
132 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
Baptismal, confirmatioD and ordination vows are re-
freshed in memory, and renewed in heart and life when
minister and people, ten, fifteen or more years after his
jBrst "laying on of hands," his hand again grasped ours,
and he spake as if from eternity, and the very window
of heaven, such burning words as we may never forget*
In his best days, Dr. Leiter was possessed of rather
a rare mind. He was not a " one idea man," but his
reading and observation in life, put him in possession of
a store of knowledge, which afforded comfort to him
and instruction to his companions. Naturally conser-
vative, he was recognized as a safe counsellor in ecclesi-
astical assemblies, and more than one peace-measure
could be traced to his judicious suggestion.
Well grounded in the beginning in the doctrines of
our holy religion, he " kept the faith." He was satis-
fied with the old, and sought no new gospel. If there
was one thing which more than another characterized
his teaching and preaching, it was that he ever sought
to honor Christ. And his was no divided Christ, but
"Christ all and in all." No one could sit long under
his ministry and fail to see this.
Himself possessed of a scientific mind — a lover of
science — he studied to harmonize all with the inspired
Word of God, and it is a refreshing thought that from
him no one ever received encouragement to seek for a
new gospel outside of the revelation of Jesus Christ.
We feel to-day, as never before, our loss in the death of
this venerable father in the ministry. But while we
mourn the loss, we revere the memory. And when we
go to his own grave, and lay his mortal remains away
133
by a Christian burial, we'll remember how his spirit,
through the Gospel, challenged death and the grave,
and we'll strive to have more of his ministerial mantle
to fall on us, so that we may more fully and joyfully
show his strong faith in the resurrection.
We are not informed as to the nature and duration
of the last illness of Dr. Leiter. He breathed his last
on Saturday, the 31st of March, 1883, and his funeral
took place on the following Tuesday, April 3rd. A very
large concourse of people showed their esteem for the
departed. Rev. S. C. Goss delivered an address based
on 2 Tim. 4: 7, "I have kept the faith,'' Rev. E. P.
Herbruck following in appropriate words. All the cler-
gymen took part in the services, they also acting as
bearers.
Thus ended the eventful life of our departed brother,
Samuel B. Leiter, at the age of 73 years, 11 months and
12 days. Thus, in his case, has been begun that life of
endless bliss which knows no sorrow, nor tears, nor death
— a life where faith is changed to sight and hope to ac-
tual fruition. Love, as the crowning one of all Chris-
tian graces, will never fade. We tarry behind for a season,
not forgetful that " the saints on earth and saints above,
but one communion make."
While we patiently wait, let us also faithfully labor;
and when sorrows rise, our faith will set us to singing,
" We shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet
again !"
134 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
REV. PETER TENDICK.
1826—1883.
Mr. Tendick was a foreigner by birth. At what
time he came to this country we are not able to say, nor
where he first took up his residence after his arrival in
the New World. About the year 1850, or possibly a
little later, 1851, he came to Mercersburg, Pa., and en-
tered the Preparatory Department of Marshall Col-
lege, with a view of qualifying himself for the work
of the ministry. He remained in connection with the
institution up to 1852 or '53, when he went West and
became a student in Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio.
While at Mercersburg, his residence, as found in the
catalogue of the College, was Jacksonville, Illinois.
After completing his preparatory studies, classical
and theological, at Tiffin, Ohio, he was licensed to preach
and ordained to the office of the holy ministry in the
early part of 1858, by the Tiffin Classis.* He became
pastor of what was called the Carolina Mission, in and
around a place of that name, in the state of Ohio. The
mission was composed of eight congregations. After
serving this charge about one year, he became pastor of
« Minutes •Synod of Ohio, 1858, p. 17 ; also "Ref. Ch. Mess.,"
May 23, 1883.
REV. PETER TENDICK. 135
the Windfall charge, in Seneca county of the same
state, composed of two congregations, known also as the
Attica Mission. This second field he occupied about
four years, when he retired from the same and was with-
out any regular charge, in consequence of a very severe
and continued affliction.
The Rev. Dr. Rust has furnished the following sketch
of the deceased for the Kirchenzeiturig, which we have
transferred to the English in a free translation.*
Pastor Peter Tendick was born in Bleyn, in the
kingdom of Prussia, Germany, May 26, 1826, and died
April 1, 1883, at the age of 56 years, 10 months and 5
days. The deceased was an earnest and gifted minister
of the Reformed Church, and for some years served con-
gregations in and around Carolina, Ohio. He was for
some time a student of Marshall College in Pennsylva-
nia, and later of Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio,
where he graduated in 1857. On the 25th of June, in
the same year, he was united in marriage with Miss
Mary G. Kroh. As a minister of the Gospel, he
was earnest and faithful, and only then retired from the
active duties of his office, when, through severe physical
and mental affliction, he was compelled to do so. And
even then for some years he still hoped that his health
would again be restored, so that he might resume his be-
loved work — the work of preaching the Gospel. He
left behind a beloved wife and three children — two
daughters and one son — who mournfully but also thank-
fully look upon his departure, because he is now forever
at resr, released from all his sufferings. May he rest
well, the faithful servant of the Most High.
» See " Hausfreund," April 26, 1883.
136 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
Brother Tendick died very suddenly. Soon after he
had eaten his supper on Sunday, April 1, 1883, the
Lord came and instantly took him away. On the fol-
lowing Tuesday, April 3rd, his funeral took place from
his late residence in Attica, Seneca county, Ohio. The
services were held in the Methodist Episcopal church,
where the Rev. Dr. Kefauver preached a very comfort-
ing and edifying sermon in the English language on the
words : '* Man that is born of woman is of few days,
and full of trouble." He was followed by the writer —
the Rev. Dr. Rust — in a German address on James 1 :
12, "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for
when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life which
the Lord hath promised Ito them that love him."
" There is a calm for those who weep,
A rest for weary pilgrims found;
They softly lie and sweetly sleep
Low in the ground.
The storm that wrecks the Winter sky
No more disturbs their deep repose,
Than Summer's evening s latest sigh
That shuts the rose.
REV. JOHN PENCE. 137
REV. JOHN PENCE.
1799—1883.
Father Pence was one of the pioneer ministers of
the Reformed Church in the West. A large portion of
his public life was spent in missionary work, in connec-
tion with his pastoral labors, especially in the early part
of his ministry. With but ordinary intellectual endow-
ments, and with few and scant educational advantages,
he labored under great difficulties and discouragements.
Still, by his energy and perseverence, he was enabled to
accomplish a good work in the service of his divine
Master. He was a man of action — zealous and earnestly
desirous of approving himself to his Lord and Saviour.
With his meagre preparation for the ministry, and la-
boring under the disadvantages of an imperfect educa-
tion, he managed to accomplish a great and good work
for the Reformed Church.
Mr. Pence — whose name was originally Bentz — was
born in Rockingham county, Va., Dec. 13, 1799. His
parents were Henry Pence and his wife Catharine,
both of them pious and God-fearing — the father being a
member of the Lutheran, and the mother of the Re-
formed Church. Her maiden name was Mauger. Be-
ing the child of Christian parents, he was early conse-
138 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
secrated to God in the ordinance of baptism, the Rev.
John Brown, D. D., performing the sacramental act,
in the Peak Mountain church, July 2nd, 1800. Some
ten years later his parents removed to Warren county,
Ohio, and settled in the vicinity of Springboro, where
he spent the next ten years of his life in agricultural
pursuits while residing with his parents.
He was naturally tender-hearted, we are told, and
susceptible of serious impressions, even from early life,
sympathetic and easily moved to tears. In his fifteenth
year already he became religiously inclined, being deeply
exercised about the salvation of his soul. Realizing his
lost state by nature, he earnestly sought the favor of
God, and, after great and protracted spiritual conflicts,
obtained peace of heart, and was thus enabled to trust in
the mercy of the Lord. Having attended a course of
catechetical instructions, he, together with fifteen other
young persons, was received as a communicant member
of the Reformed Church, by being confirmed in the Sa-
lem, now Springboro, congregation, by the Rev. Thomas
Winters, in the month of June, 1817.* Soon after his
union with the Church, he became impressed with the
duty of preaching the Gospel of the grace of God to his
fellow-men. Like many other young men who feel
themselves called to the holy ministry, Mr. Pence lacked
both the proper education for the sacred office and the
means of obtaining the necessary training for the work.
About three years subsequent to his union with the
Church, when he had attained the age of twenty one
■^ Obituary by the Rev; I. H. Reiter, D. D., in the " Christian
World," May 10, 1883.
REV. JOHN PENCE. 139
years, the- way opened up to him for securing the re-
quired theological training, under the care and super-
vision of his spiritual guide and pastor, the Rev. Thomas
Winters. On the 21st day of May, 1821, he entered
upon his studies at Germantown, Ohio, and continued
the same up to May, 1824, about three years.
Having received a call from the Union charge, situ-
ated within the bounds of the present Miami Classis, he
started in June of the same year, 1824, on a journey of
two hundred miles, on horseback, to New Philadelphia,
Ohio, to attend the annual meeting of the then Ohio
Classis, which, during its sessions, was officially changed
into the Ohio Synod of the Reformed Church. On ap-
plication to this body, he was examined, licensed and
ordained to the holy ministry on the 15th of June, 1824,
in connection with the applicants, David Winters and
Jacob Descombes. These were the first young men
who received ordination from the newly organized Synod
of Ohio.
Having been ordained and clothed with authority to
preach the Gospel and administer its sealing ordinances,
he entered upon his pastoral work in the Union charge,
consisting of three congregations, namely Frieden's, now
Mt. Pisgah, in Lawrenceville, Clark county, Salem, in
Champaign county, and Stillwater, in Montgomery
county. In the Winter of 1824 — ^25, he organized a
new congregation near Hyattsville, in Miami county,
known as Worraan's, until 1845, when it received the
name of EmanueFs. These four congregations properly
constituted the Union charge, with occasional changes
which continued for a time. In connection with his reg-
140 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
ular pastoral labors, he also did considerable missionary
work. Between 1830 and 1834 he commenced to preach
in Shelby county, north of Sydney, travelling forty miles
every four weeks in going thither. In 1835 he began
his labors in the New Providence congregation, which he
served three years. This congregation was equally dis-
tant with the preceding. His labors ultimately extended
over five counties. Out of the different churches which
he thus served, finally grew the St. Paris, the Port Jef-
ferson and the Salem charges. His pastorate of the Un-
ion charge extended over a period of twenty-three years,
from 1824 to 1847.
In 1826, while pastor of the Union charge, he was
appointed the first missionary of the Ohio Synod,
and, during that and the three succeeding years, he made
an exploring tour through Southern Indiana, visiting
different points, and performing pastoral duties among
the destitute members of the Reformed Church in those
parts
From the year 1847 to 1862, he was occasionally
without a regular pastoral charge, but did good service
in different ways to the Church and the cause of Christ
generally — distributing Bibles, supplying vacant charges,
assisting his ministerial brethren, and serving several
regular charges, especially two congregations in Ran-
dolph county, Indiana, which he himself had organized
and which constituted his last field of labor in the way
of a regular charge. During the remaining years of his
long and eventful life he was not regularly engaged in
ministerial work, but still took a deep interest in what-
ever concerned the welfare of the Church of God on earth.
REV. JOHN PENCE. 141
Mr. Pence pre^jched his first sermon, in German, in
February, 1822, while a student in the Schleiffer church,
five miles north of Germantown, Ohio, from 2 Peter 2 :
9, and his last sermon, in English, at Tremont City,
April 5, 1883, at the funeral of Mr. Reuben Sagers,
from Matthew 24 : 44, ^' Therefore be ye also ready ;
for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man
cometh."
It is stated that, during the first thirty years of his
ministry. Father Pence travelled about two thousand
miles annually, mostly on horseback, in the discharge
of his pastoral duties, besides about fifteen thousand
miles, during the same period, on railroads and other-
wise— a total of seventy-five thousand miles, and, adding
his travels during the remaining twenty-nine years of
his public life, he travelled likely from ninety to one
hundred thousand miles. The results of his ministry,
as far as these can be ascertained from his imperfect rec-
ords, are as follows: Baptisms, 1,212; confirmations,
422; marriages, 245; funerals, 276; congregations or-
ganized, 9.
While pastor of the Union charge, Mr. Pence was
married, June 7, 1827, to Miss Margaret Jones, by his
fellow student and friend, the Rev. David Winters.
This union was blessed with nine children — three sons
and six daughters — of whom one son and three daugh-
ters preceded the father to the eternal world.
Father Pence was blessed with a good constitution,
and passed through the world with little suffering.
Twelve days prior to his deceasie he preached a funeral
sermon, and was in his usual good health up to Satur-
142 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
day, April 16th, when he was taken with a severe chill,
assuming somewhat of a congestive nature, with a ten-
dency to pneumonia. He gradually grew weaker until
Wednesday morning, April 18th, 1883, when, at seven
o'clock, he fell asleep in Jesus, aged 83 years, 4 months,
and 5 days. He was buried, on Friday following, in
the cemetery of the Mt. Pisgah Reformed church. The
funeral discourse, on Psalm 90: 10 — 12, was preached
by the Rev. Dr. Reiter, who also read a sketch of his
life. The brethren D. R. Taylor and Solomon Ream
of the Reformed Church, and the Rev. John A. White
of the M. E. Church, were also present and took part
in the solemn services. Father Pence sleeps by the side
of the Rev. John P. Dechant, who died in 1824 and
was buried here.
REV. HIRAM SHAULL. 143
REV. HIRAM SHAULL.
1819—1883.
Mr. Shaall was a native of Virginia. He was the
sou of Nicholas and Elizabeth Shaull, who resided in
the vicinity of Smithfield, county of Jefferson, Va.,
where he was born, March 14, 1819, and where he
spent his childhood and early youth, with his parents,
in agricultural pursuits. His parents were members of
the Lutheran Church, at Smithfield, where the late
Rev. Dr. Charles P. Krauth was then pastor, and by
whom Mr. Shaull was baptized in 1820. He was,
however, early and favorably inclined to the Reformed
Church ; and, having been thoroughly catechised, he
was confirmed and received as a communicant member
of the Reformed church at Smithfield, by the late Rev.
Robert Douglass, of whom he always spoke in terms of
the highest esteem. His early training he received in
the schools of his native place. His educational advan-
tages were comparatively poor and limited to the com-
mon elementary branches. He had, however, improved
his opportunities and made commendable progress in
the ordinary English studies.
In the Spring of 1839, Mr. Shaull, in company
with two other young men — Gissinger and Pultz — came
144 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
to Mercersburg, Pa., from Middleway or Smithfield,
Jefferson county, Virginia, and entered the Preparatory
Department of Marshall College located in that place.
He remained in connection with the institutions in a
somewhat irregular way, four or five years, passing
through the lower classes in the collegiate department ;
and subsequently pursued his theological studies in the
Seminary of the Reformed Church, which was located
at Mercersburg, and stood in close connection with the
college.
After completing his literary and theological course,
Mr. Shaull returned to his native State, and, on May
18, 1844, was licensed to preach the gospel, and, on
the following day, ordained to the holy ministry, by the
Classis of Virginia, then in session at Zion's church,
Shenandoah county, Va.* His ordination took place
on the strength of a call from the Mill Creek charge, in
the same county, of which he was pastor something less
than one year, the pastoral relation having been dis-
solved Dec. 2, 1844. Early in 1845,t he was dismissed
to the Miami Classis, Synod of Ohio, he having received
and accepted a call from the Fairfield charge in Green
county, Ohio. We are not able to say anything defi-
nitely as to the nature and extent of this field of labor.
He remained here only about one year.
In 1846, Mr. Shaull received and accepted a call to
the First church of Tiffin, and entered upon his duties
there in July of this year. With this church, in the
city, another congregation — the Salem's — in the vicinity
Syn. Min., 1844, p. 24.
Syn. Min., 1845, pp. 25—26.
REV. HIRAM SHAULL. 145
of the city was for a time connected. He remained in
this charge about five years and a half, up to January 1,
1 852, when he tendered his resignation with a view of
devoting himself more exclusively to the agency for the
proposed literary and theological institutions, which he
had accepted some time previously. His ministry in
Tiffin appears to have been very successful and produc-
tive of much fruit to cheer his heart. During his pas-
torate of between five and six years he added two hun-
dred and thirty members to his charge by confirmation,
and quite a respectable number also by certificate or re-
newal of profession, so that the charge was very mater-
ially strengthened by his efficient labors.
During his pastorate at Tiffin, and especially towards
the close of it, Brother Shaull took a deep interest in
the movement then on foot, to establish suitable literary
and theological institutions in the West. He did much
efficient work in this direction, both before and after
taking an agency to this end, and contributed largely
towards getting the schools located in that place. He
was one of a committee of three — Shaull, Williard and
Good — to solicit proposals for their permanent location ;
and, deeming Tiffin a suitable place for them, he ob-
tained a subscription of about eleven thousand dollars
from the citizens as an inducement to get the institutions
located at that place. This effi^rt proved successful. He
also rendered good service afterwards in the same direc-
tion when acting under his appointment as general
agent of the institutions.
In 1853, he resigned his agency with a view of tak-
ing charge of the mission interests at Massillon, Ohio.
10
146 FATHEES OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
He remained here about three years, up to 1856. Dur-
ing this pastorate he also preached for some time at
Wooster, in the English language, while Dr. Kemmerer,
the pastor in charge, preached in German.
In 1856 or '57 he transferred his residence to Mad-
ison, Indiana, and lived there in retirement about six
months, with a view of recruiting his physical energies
and re-establishing his health.
In 1857 he returned to his native state and lived on
a small farm between Smithfield and Leetown, W. Va.,
from this time up to 1870, having in the meantime re-
tained his connection with the Classis of Sandusky, Syn-
od of Ohio, except during the last year or two of this
period, when he served as pastor of the Edenburg church,
in Shenandoah county, Va., which at the time was a part
of the Mill Creek charge, of which he became pastor in
1868. Previous to this, from 1866 to 1867, he had
acted, under an apppointment of the Virginia Classis,
as supply to the Winchester charge, with which Smith-
field was for a time connected. His pastorate of the
Edenburg charge continued from May 1868, to May 18,
1870.
In July 1870 Mr. Shaull went back to the West
and took up his abode in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he re-
mained about six months, acting as agent for the Chris-
tian World. Early in the year 1871, he assumed the
pastorate of the Port Jefferson charge, within the bounds
of the Miami Classis, coilnected witli which, for a time
at least, was the Sidney charge. He continued to labor
here with acceptance up to 1875, a period of about four
years.
In March, 1875, he became pastor of the Union
REV. HIRAM SHAULL. 147
charge, in Clark county, Ohio, consisting of four con-
gregations. This charge he served faithfully and with
marked success for a period of three years. During his
pastorate here he confirmed seventy-eight persons, and
received by certificate sixty others, as members of the
Church.
His next field of pastoral activity was the Polk
(Shenandoah) charge, in Ashland county, Ohio, composed
of four congregations, where he remained only one year.
In 1880 he took up his residence in Sidney, Shelby
county, Ohio, and lived there in retirement, after having
served nine diiferent pastoral charges — three in Virgin-
ia and six in Ohio.
Mr. Shaull was married, March 27, 1844, to Miss
Elizabeth M. Dick, a daughter of the late Captain Wil-
liam Dick, of Mercersburg, Pa. The marriage cere-
mony was performed by the Rev. Thomas Creigh, D. D.
The fruit of this union was one son — Clarence — who
preceded his father to the spirit world, having died at
Sidney, Ohio, December 9, 1873, aged 27 years, 6
months and 27 days. His remains rest beside those of
his father.
During the closing years of his life, Mr. Shaull still
continued to manifest a deep interest in the work of the
Lord, and was employed for some time as an agent of
the American Bible Society, and labored in this cause
until failing health obliged him to desist from his work.
He retired from the active duties of the ministry after
having successively served different pastoral charges —
three in Virginia and six in Ohio.*
* Obituary by the Rev. I. H. Reiter, D. D., in "Christian
World," June 14, 1883.
148 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
Brother Shaull's life was not without its deep and
protracted shadows. He suffered much in different ways
during his active and successful ministry of nearly forty
years. His impaired health several times required him
to abstain for a season from his favorite work and seek
the recovery of his strength in a change of occupation.
During his residence in Virginia he suffered greatly in
body and mind from the ravages attending our civil
war in that section of country. These trials doubtless
helped to gradually undermine his constitution and to
bring on the impaired state of health which eventually
compelled him to retire from the active duties of the
ministry. His strength was gradually failing for the
last few years. During the last three months of his life
he suffered very much from chronic bronchitis, with oc-
casional attacks of pleurisy, terminating in consump-
tion. This complication of diseases occasioned much
distress and finally exhausted his physical energies and
brought on death. He bore his afflictions with meek-
ness and submission. The Lord was his refuge and
strength. The good Master, whom he had so faithfully
served during life, did not forsake him in the hour of
death, nor leave him to bear unaided or sink beneath
the accumulated evils which preceded the final catastro-
phe. Death, and the sufferings accompanying it, were
disarmed by the grace of the Lord. He was permitted,
after many storms, to finish his course with joy, and to en-
ter triumphantly into the rest prepared for the people of
God. He died at his residence in Sidney, Ohio, April
23, 1883, aged 64 years, 1 month and 9 days.*
* Obituary by the Rev. Dr. Reiter, as above.
REV. HIRAM SHAULL. 149
His funeral took place on Wednesday, the 25th of
April, at his late residence in Sidney. At his own re-
quest, made a short time prior to his death, the funeral
discourse was preached by the Rev. Dr. Reiter, based
on Psalm 116: 7 — "Return unto thy rest, O, my soul.'^
There were present also the Rev. J. C. Beade, of the Re-
formed Church, Rev. Robert McCaslin, of the Presby-
terian Church, and the Rev. Daniel Strong, of the M.
E. Church. His remains were taken to Graceland cem-
etery, a beautiful spot about one mile south of Sidney,
and there deposited by the side of his son to await the
coming of the Lord, who shall then be "glorified in
His saints and admired in all them that love His ap-
pearance."
According to the beautiful and appropriate burial
service of the Reformed Courch, his remains were laid
to rest — in hope of a blessed resurrection in the last
day, according to that most comforting article in the
creed of the Church : " I believe in the resurrection of
the body and the life everlasting.'^ Hequiescat in pace!
In regard to the private and public life of Brother
Shaull, we give in a free way the account furnished by
the Rev. I. H. Reiter, D. D., whose obituary we have
freely used in the preparation of this sketch. He says :
The ministerial life of Brother Shaull extends to four-
teen years in Virginia and twenty-five in Ohio. His
principal work was accomplished in the West. He en-
tered the ministry from principle, and was duly im-
pressed with the sacredness and responsibility of the min-
isterial office. His natural talents were good and his
attainments respectable, and he freely consecrated both
150 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
to the service of the Lord. His career as a miDister of
the Gospel was diversified, laborious and successful. In
the discharge of his duties he was faithful and zealous.
As a preacher he stood well. His preparations for the
pulpit were careful and discriminating, combining the
doctrinal and practical, the theoretical and experimental.
His sermons were delivered with considerable energy
and effect. His style was peculiarly his own. As a
Christian, whatever may have been his imperfections,
he was possessed of excellent qualities of mind and heart.
He was ever ready to aid in carrying out any measure
which had for its object the interests of the Church and
the glory of God.
REV. DIETRICH WILLERS, D. D. 151
REV. DIETRICH WILLERS, D. D.
1798—1883.
Dr. Willers — a son of Herman and Gesina Rasch
Willers — was born Feb. 6, 1798, in the village of Walle,
adjoining the Hanseatic city of Bremen, in Germany,
He received his elementary training in the public schools
of his native village and the city of Bremen, to which
he was subsequently removed. He lost both his par-
ents in infancy, and was thus early thrown upon the
cold charities of the world. Providentially, however,
he fell into the hands of kind friends, by whom he was
tenderly cared for and religiously educated. At the
early age of fifteen, May 11, 1813, after a thorough
course of religious training, he was confirmed by the
Rev. Dr. Nicholas Kiesselbach, senior pastor of St. Ste-
phen's, a Reformed church in the city of Bremen.
In an autobiographical sketch sent to Dr. Harbaugh
in 1863, and now in my possession. Dr. Willers gives
the following interesting account of his childhood and
early youth.* He says : "Soon after my birth I was
* In transmitting this document, Dr. Willers humorously
remarks: "When Alexander the Great stood at the tomb of
Achilles at Sigaeum, he cried: * Happy youth, who could find
a Homer to blazon thy fame !' And I, indeed, feel happy to
find a Harbaugh to say a little about me when once I have
reached my goal."
152 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
initiated into the Church of Christ by holy baptism, ad-
ministered by the Rev. Mr. Buesing. During the first
year of my life my father died, and, in the fourth, my
mother followed him. My grandparents were yet alive,
and carefully nourished in me the spiritual life received
in baptism. They had prayer at the table ; and every
day, morning and evening, read the ^ Morgen und Abend
Segen.' They called it not prayer, but ^Segen,^ because
they believed that prayer was accompanied by a divine
blessing. At the age of four years I was sent to the
village school, which, at that time, afforded but poor in-
structions. During the fifth and sixth years of my life,
both my grandparents died. I now came under the
care of my uncle — my mother's brother. I continued
in the village school until my tenth year and received
instruction in the customary branches, such as reading,
writing and arithmetic, besides religious instruction in
the catechism, under the Rev. Mr. Buesing, from my
eighth year up. In this village school we had a very
cross teacher, who, on one occasion, struck me so se-
verely that I came home in a bloody condition. This
punishment laid the foundation for the peculiar devel-
opment of my entire future life — it was the cause of my
being sent to school in the city of Bremen, where my
aunt took me under her care and supervision. I at-
tended school at St. Stephen's — a parochial school, as a
matter of course. I was now required to attend the re-
ligious instructions of the Rev. Dr. Kiesselbach, pastor
primarius of St. Stephen's. At the age of twelve I was
sent to another school, where I was taught the higher
branches. Twice a week I attended catechisation un-
REV. DIETRICH WILLERS, D. D. 153
der Dr. Kiesselbach, whose method was peculiar — con-
sisting of lectures of his own, and of questions addressed
to us based on the same. Two Scripture passages were
given us at each meeting. These meetings were opened
and closed with prayer, and one-fourth of the time was
taken up in explaining the Scripture passages. These
explanations and exhortations made such a deep im-
pression on me that, at the age of twelve years, I com-
menced regularly to preach to myself, or rather /or my-
self. On Wednesday and Saturday afternoons there
was no school, and of this spare time, given for recrea-
tion, I always used one hour each day in conducting a
kind of religious service by myself — on the third story
of our house, which was chiefly used for storing away
odd things. In my childish way I had the different
objects around me as my hearers. These quasi services
consisted of all the essential parts of a regular church
service. I timed my worship by the clock of St. Ste-
phen's. When visiting my friends, I preached even on
the way to the village — Walle. My discourses had all
the parts of a regular sermon — introduction, theme, di-
vision into parts, and conclusion. My friends often
spoke of sending me to the University to study for the
ministry ; but I had no rich friend to defray the neces-
sary expenses. On Thursday, the eleventh day of May,
1813, I was confirmed along with thirty-three other
young persons, male and female, as a member of the
Reformed Church, and, on the Sunday following, ad-
mitted to the holy communion, at St. Stephen's. My
confirmation was to me as the confirming of a new birth,
and, for many coming Thursdays, I repeated the whole
164 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
solemn ceremony to myself; for it had made a deep and
lasting impression upon me." In reference to a subse-
quent period of his life, he says: "I was now more
closely confined to the mercantile business, to which I
was apprenticed ; so closely, indeed, that I could but
seldom attend divine w»)rship on Sunday. This caused
in me such a dislike to this calling, that I sought an
opportunity to regain my freedom once more. This
wished-for boon came in the Autumn of 1813." The
golden opportunity, which opened the way for his sub-
sequent usefulness in connection with the kingdom of
God, indirectly at least, was the following : When Na-
poleon Bonaparte, in his career of ambition and op-
pression of the smaller States of Europe, took possession
of the city of Bremen, Mr. Willers entered the army of
Hanover, in September, 1814, and served in the Ger-
man division of the allied army for a period of nearly
five years. He was an active participant in the mem-
orable battle of Waterloo, in Belgium, June 16th, 17th
and 18th, in the year 1815, with the allied army under
the Duke of Wellington, which decided the fate of
Bonaparte, and had an important bearing upon the des-
tinies of the monarchial powers of Europe. So terrible
was the carnage and destruction at this eventful battle,
that of the military company with which he was con-
nected of 120 men, only twelve privates and two non-
commissioned officers survived, and the battalion of four
hundred men was reduced to less than eighty men. He
remained with the allied army of occupation in France,
for more than three years, after the downfall of Bona-
parte. He received a silver medal in recognition of his
REV. DIETRICH WILEERS, D. D. 155
military services. Through all his army experience he
deported himself as a Christian soldier, and undoubtedly
received those vivid and life-like impressions, which in
after-life enabled him so happily to compare the Chris-
tian warrior to the soldier on the battle field.*
On the first day of October, 1819, and shortly after
his honorable discharge from the army, he took passage
in a sailing vessel, the "La Platte,'' for the United
States, landing in Baltimore, Md., Nov. 16, 1819. He
possessed only a few dollars saved from his army pay
of $2.85 per month, together with $38 which his sainted
mother had laid aside for him, but was rich in an in-
domitable energy and force of character, which proved
of incalculable value in making up a successful career
in life.
His first employment was that of a teacher in one
of the schools of York county. Pa., adjoining the Mary-
land State line.
Following a desire and purpose formed in early
youth, to prepare himself for the gospel ministry, which
all the rough surroundings of army life had not oblit-
erated, he at once entered upon a course of preparation
for the ministry ; the religious denomination, German
Keformed, having at the time no classical or theological
school, he took the only available method of prepara-
tion then in practice — instruction under the direction of
several leading divines of his Church — the Rev. Jacob
* This part of our sketch is compiled mainly from an edito-
rial in the "Seneca Falls Reveille," of May 18th,;i883,,and the
•\Biographical Sketch," by Rev. J. W. Jacks, "Seneca County
Courier," May 17th, 1883.
156 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
Geiger first, and then the Rev. Dr. J. C. Becker. So
close and thorough was his application, and so earnest
was his purpose in carrying forward what he believed
to be his life work, that already in April, 1821, he re-
ceived a call to preach to congregations in Seneca and
adjacent counties, N. Y., which call he accepted and
entered upon his pastoral duties during the same month.
He was ordained to the ministry in October of the same
year.* He located at the centre of Seneca county, near
Bearytown, where his first sermon was preached, April
22, 1821, in a log church, which in 1823—24 gave
place to a substantial stone structure, erected chiefly
through his efforts, and now undergoing a process of re-
modeling, the completion of which he was not permit-
ted to see.
It may not be amiss to mention just here, that the
towns of Fayette and Varick were largely settled by
Germans about the beginning of the present century.
The oldest church organization in the town of Fayette,
the Reformed church of Bearytown, dates back to 1809,
or even to an earlier date. The present substantial
stone church, now being remodeled, was completed in
1824, taking the place of the original structure erected
in 1813. Fitting, indeed, would it have been, could
these solemn funeral obsequies have been performed
within the walls of that building in which for a period
*■ By a committee of the Synod of the United States, which
met at Reading, Pa., Sept. 30th, 1821, consisting of the Revs.
Hinsch, Hendel and Vandersloot. The ordination took place
on Thursday evening, Oct. 5th, 1821. The committee of exami-
nation consisted of the brethren Wack, Hoffmeier and Jona-
than Helfifenstein— Syn. Min., 1821, pp. 7, 8, 15, 19.
REV. DIETRICH WILLERS, D. D. 157
of three score years he had broken the bread of life to
his beloved parishioners. But just as beautiful and af-
fecting is the thought, so consonant with the broad
catholicity of his spirit, that a sister denomination fur-
nished the place for the funeral rites of one who es-
teemed all true Christians equally as brethren in Christ.
He served, while residing in Seneca county, at dif-
ferent periods, six different preaching points in the
county, and seven or eight other points in Tompkins,
Cayuga, Wayne, Livingston and Niagara counties, at
first exclusively in the German language, and afterwards
in German or English as the charges demanded, and
performed a large proportion of the travel incident to so
extended a field of labor, on horseback, especially dur-
ing the first half of his ministry.
He preached to the congregation at Bearytown, a
period of sixty years and eight months of connective
service, until January 1, 1882, when his resignation took
effect, rendered necessary by growing infirmities. It
was his firm belief that a minister of the gospel, who
had taken upon himself the ordination vow, ought not
for light reasons to relinquish his work, but that during
health and strength, he should devote himself to his
Master's work.
In an article which appeared in the Reveille of
December 30th, 1881, at the close of the active minis-
terial service of Dr. Willers, we alluded at length to
his pastoral work — and a portion of the statistics then
given may now very properly be repeated :
During this term of service, believed to be almost
unparalled in the annals of the American pulpit, he
IhS FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
preached about 5,800 regular Sunday discourses, nearly
equally divided between German and English, baptized
2,026 persons, administered the rite of confirmation to
548, officiated at 625 funerals, and solemnized 540 mar-
riages. In the discharge of his pastoral duties he trav-
eled not less than eighty thousand miles. At the close
of his pastorate, not a single adult male member, who
was connected with the congregation at Bearytown when
his service began in 1821, still survived, and not more
than a dozen of the membership who were children or
youths at that time, were still living in December, 1881.
Dr. VVillers was a ready, fluent and eloquent speaker
in the German language, and when his congregations de-
sired services in English, he mastered that language so
that he preached therein with acceptance and favor. His
delivery and style in the pulpit were forcible and con-
vincing, and his sermons were clear, cogent and emi-
nently practical, replete with sound reasoning, and with-
al well arranged and presented.
Notwithstanding the difficulties which he encoun-
tered in his youth in securing educational advantages,
he became, by application and studious habits, and a
methodic system in division of time, a good classical
scholar, and well versed in a number of modern langua-
ges, and general literature — but especially conversant
with the subjects of theology and Church history. He
was one of the leading and influential divines of his de-
nomination, presiding repeatedly over the several syn-
ods and classes with which he was connected.
During his extended pastorate, while residing at
Fayette, N. Y., he belonged successively to the Old
159
Susquehanna, the West Susquehanna, the New York,
and, finally, to the West New York Classis. During
the same period he belonged, in the order here given,
to the Synod of the United States, the Synod of Pitts-
burg, and to the German Synod of the East. He was
President of the Synod of the United States, at Easton,
Pa., in 1833, and, in Sunbury, in 1837. In 1871 he
acted as President of the Pittsburg Synod, at its meet-
ing in Buffalo, N. Y., and, in 1876, of the German
Synod of the East, during its sessions in the city of
Philadelphia, Pa.
He was chosen the first President of the Board of
Foreign Missions of the German Reformed Church, at
its organization in 1838 ; and, subsequently, while this
Board was connected with the American Board, he was
for twenty-five years a corporate member of the Ameri-
can Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. He
was deeply interested in the recent revival of the for-
eign mission spirit in the Reformed Church. At one
time his name was presented for one of the professor-
ships in the Theological Seminary, in 1838, but was
withdrawn in favor of the Rev. Dr. Lewis Mayer.*
In recognition of his learning, ability and zeal in the
labors of the ministry, he received, a number of years
ago, from Franklin and Marshall College, at Lancaster,
Pa., the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. At the
time of his decease. Dr. Willers was by several years
the oldest minister of the Reformed Church in the
United States, and probably the only one whose birth
took place in the last century. During his ministry he
* " Kef. Ch. Mess.," May 30, 1883, and June 6, 1883.
160 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
delivered discourses and addresses upon a number of im-
portant occasions. On the 4th of July, 1826, he preached
upon the occasion of the semi-centennial of American
Independence, and lived also to commemorate the cen-
tennial observance ofthesamein 1876, In 1833, 1851,
and 1861 he also delivered addresses upon the occasion
of the national anniversary, He was a participant at
the Sullivan centennial celebration, at Waterloo, in Sep-
tember, 1879, and responded to the sentiment "The Cler-
gy," in which he forcibly and feelingly compared the
Christian warrior with the soldier upon the battle-field.*
In 1830, when Joseph Smith was residing in West
Fayette, near one of his congregations, engaged in pre-
paring the Book of Mormon or so-called Mormon Bi-
ble for publication. Dr. Willers preached a discourse
attacking the false doctrines and fallacies of the Mor-
mon leader in a scathing discourse based upon Galati-
ans, 1st chapter, 8th verse.
He was also privileged to celebrate a number of im-
portant anniversaries of leading events in his own life.
In April, 1871, he celebrated the semi-centennial of his
ministry in this county, and was permitted ten years
and eight months of active service in addition. In
June, 1873, he with his aged wife celebrated their gol-
den wedding, after which she was permitted to remain
with him more than six years until her death, Nov. 24,
1879. In July, 1880, Dr. Willers was present and de-
livered an address at the semi-centennial of the found-
* This beautiful address which does credit to both the head
and heart of the sainted author, is published in the " Waterloo
Observer," May 23, 1883.
EEV. DIETRICH WILLERS, D. D. 161
ing by him of a German Evangelical church at Lyons,
At the close of a career so full of activity, and cov-
ering so extended a field, much might be said, did space
permit, in the way of reminiscences of his pastoral life.
As a citizen, as well as pastor, he was widely known
and respected. Many men now in middle life and more
advanced years remember him as they saw him as chil-
dren pass along the roads upon his way to his ministe-
rial appointments, mounted upon his favorite old horse
Charlie, when he always had a kind word or salutation
for all.
While holding decided views upon public questions
of the day, he never spoke of them in the pulpit, and
was ever respectful of the views and opinions of those
who differed with him.
He was a warm friend of our system of common
schools, and for a period of forty-five years held a posi-
tion in the school district in which he resided, thus aid-
ing in bearing the public burdens. Soon after he be-
came a naturalized citizen, he was chosen one of the in-
spectors of common schools of the town of Varick, and
afterwards for a number of years, held the office of
superintendent of schools of that town.
In 1861 and 1862, during a trying period in the
history of this country, he was chosen supervisor of his
town, and during both years served as chairman of the
board of supervisors.
Upon the pulpit of a Tyrolese village is an emblem
of what a preacher should be. It is an extended arm
holding up the cross in the sight of all. Dr. Willers
continually held up Christ crucified as the only atone-
11
162 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
ment for sin and hope for the sinner. With Paul he
could exclaim, " I determined not to know anything
among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified.'' He
had great love for his adopted country, and was a true
patriot. His arm and voice were ever ready in her be-
half.
Passing from his public duties to the sphere of
home, we find the same godly sincerity pervading his
life. His domestic relations were very pleasant. In
1823 he married Miss Frances Shirk, of Selinsgrove,
originally from New Holland, in Lancaster county. Pa.,
who bore him eight children. Of these, two died in in-
fancy, and three after arriving at mature years. One
son and two daughters, all residents of this county, sur-
vive their parents. They are the Hon. Dietrich Wil-
lers, Jr., Mrs. Charles Bachman and Mrs. John S.
Read. He also left nine grandchildren and nine great-
grandchildren. The spirit of the fifth commandment
prevaded the entire household, and father Willers was
honored by his children's children to the fourth genera-
tion. Both in public and in private life, his children
have been tested, and have never been found wanting.
He was noted for his frugality. His salary rarely
exceeded three or four hundred dollars, and was often
less. Yet he lived, not as Paul in a hired house, but
the owner of a spacious dwelling, surrounded by broad
acres, where he might commune with nature and look
through her up to her God. His punctuality was pro-
verbial. Probably he was never late at an appointment
in his life. During the early part of his ministry he
rode a large horse, a heavy trotter which was known
163
far and wide. Men of middle life living at distant
points who have seen Dr. Willers regularly passing
along the road when they were boys, now speak of him
as " the German Minister from Bearytown, who rode
the big bay with the iron halter around his neck." So
measured was the tread of the dignified horse, and so
methodic were the pastor's habits that the ferryman
knew within a few minutes his time of coming, could
recognize his approach and always delayed the boat for
him if about to start.
Dr. Willers was a man of few words, but very cour^
teous, a fine specimen of the old school gentleman.
"Judging the tree by its fruits," we must pronounce
that the aim of hia life has been to promote peace, so-
briety, honesty, truthfulness, virtue, mercy, charity, and
to urge men to industry and frugality. He was of
hopeful disposition, and his face glowed with the sun-
shine of his soul. He was a peacemaker, the friend of
all. He was always ready to help the poor and af-
flicted with his substance or his services. After three
score years in the ministry, the record of his influence,
counsel and activity, engraved on the hearts of thou-
sands, cannot be traced without wonder and gratitude.
His sermons were so direct and elevating that all listen-
teners must have been benefited by their teachings. His
acquaintance and friendship have been with men of all
creeds, and he was as respectful to the views of others
as he was firm in sustaining his own. He had been a
pastor — a preacher — to two nationalities, both German
and English. His heart was in the homes of his peo-
ple. He was their comf<)rtor, their counsellor, their
164 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
friend. At all times and in all places he was a faithful
Christian minister. How like to him of whom Gold-
smith wrote :
"A man he was to all the country dear,
And passing rich with forty pounds a year ;
Remote from towns he ran his godly race,
Nor e'er had changed, nor wished to change his place ;
Unpracticed he to fawn, or seek for power,
By doctrines fashioned to the varying hour;
Far other aims his heart had learned to prize.
More skilled to raise the wretched than to rise-
Thus to relieve the wretched was his pride,
And even in his failings leaned to virtue's side;
But in his duty prompt at every call,
He watched and wept, he prayed and felt for all ;
He tried each art, reproved each dull delay,
Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way.
Beside the bed where parting life was laid.
And sorrow, guilt and pain, by turns dismayed.
The reverend champion stood. At his control
Despair and anguish fled the struggling soul;
Comfort came down the trembling wretch to raise,
And his last faltering accents whispered praise.
At church, with meek and. unaffected grace.
His locks adorned the venerable place !
Truth from his lips prevailed with double sway ;
And those who came to scoff remained to pray :
The service past, around the pious man.
With steady zeal, e»ch honest rustic ran ;
Even children followed with endearing wile.
And plucked his gown, to share the good man's smile.
His ready smile a parent's warmth expressed.
Their welfare pleased him, and their cares distressed ;
To them his heart, his love, his grief were given.
But all his serious thoughts had rest in heaven."
His health, generally good, was somewhat impaired
by a severe attack of pneumonia last year, from which,
however, he was supposed to have recovered. But May
EEV. DIETKICH WILLERS, D. D. 165
3rd, Ascension day, he was attacked with bronchial dis-
ease accompanied with the infirmities incident to old
age, and ten days later breathed his last on earth — his
deathless spirit passing to the skies.
But how beautiful was the meeting in heaven ! How
joyfully was father Willers greeted by the many he had
led and pointed to Jesus, and by those beloved mem-
bers of his family who had preceded him to the realms
of glory ! Earth's language cannot portray the scene.
There were unspeakable words of joy — of greeting, spo-
ken, which it is not lawful for man to utter.
Evening is the delight of virtuous age. It seems
an emblem of the tranquil close of a busy life, serene,
peaceful, with the impress of its great Creator stamped
upon it. Evening spreads its quiet wings over the
grave and seems to promise that all shall be peace be-
yond. God has promised that ^'at eveningtime it shall
be light.'' The eventime of father Willers' life was
beautiful beyond expression — the twilight was serene,
mellow — the fitting close of a long, useful day of ser-
vice, and his mantle is left with us. On whom shall it
fall ? Who is worthy to bear it ? The young cannot
bear it as worthily as he, for it requires a long period of
Christian service to develop such a ripeness. Let us
remember his words, his teachings, his life — let them
profit us forever — and then shall we receive our elder
brother's greeting in the great beyond where we may
unite in singing praises to our Father, and to the Lamb
who has redeemed us with His own blood.
Dr. Willers, after an illness of only ten days, died
at his late residence in the town of Varick, Seneca coun-
166 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
ty, N. Y., on Whitsunday, May 13, 1883, at 4 o'clock,
p. m., aged 85 years, 3 months and 7 days. His death
was caused by an acute bronchial aftection, together with
the infirmities of old age.
The funeral obsequies took place on Wednesday,
May 16th, when a very large number of former parish-
ioners, friends and acquaintances from all parts of the
country attended. Several of the public schools in the
vicinity were dismissed as a mark of respect to the de-
ceased. The funeral discourse was delivered by E.ev. J.
H. Hunsberger, of the Bearytown Reformed church,
the successor of Dr. Willers in the pastorate, and a bio-
graphical sketch was read by Rev. J. Wilford Jacks, of
the Presbyterian Church, Romulus. Among other cler-
gymen present and assisting in the exercises, were the
venerable Rev. Dr. Gridley, over eighty years of age,
and now the oldest clergymen residing in the county,
and Rev. J. McLachlan, of the Presbyterian Church,
Waterloo, Rev. Lewis Halsey, of the Baptist Church,
Farmer Village, Rev. H. Hoffmeier, of the M. E.
Church, Rev. A. R. Glaze, of the Lutheran Church,
Bearytown, and Rev. Mr. Stull, of the M. E. Church,
Canoga. The clergy in attendance acted as honorary
pall-bearers. A telegram was received from clergy of
the West New York Classis conveying sympathy to rel-
atives of deceased.
The funeral text selected by Rev. Mr. Hunsberger
was based upon the the last clause of the fourteenth
verse of the fourteenth chapter of Job — from which
theme he preached an impressive, feeling and appropri-
ate discourse. Rev. Mr. Jacks, a townsman and inti-
REV. DIETRICH WILLERS, D. D. 167
mate friend of the deceased, read a very interesting,
complete and touching biographical sketch and eulogy
upon the life ^nd labors of the deceased. A large num-
ber of carriages made up the funeral cortege to the Burg
cemetery, where the mortal remains of Dr. Willers were
deposited by the side of his departed companion in life.
"Servant of God, well done !
Rest from thy loved employ ;
The battle fought, the victory won,
Enter thy Master's joy."
168 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
KEV. HENRY MILLER.
1807—1883.
Mr. Miller's history is a somewhat peculiar and
checkered one. Having been crippled from early life,
and being a great and constant sufferer in consequence
of this bodily infirmity, his history wears an aspect dif-
ferent from that of most men. From the very nature
of the case, wanting the free use of his limbs, he found
it difficult to attend to the manifold duties of a settled
pastor. Hence he frequently served in the capacity of
teacher, or agent of some of the benevolent and refor-
matory associations of the day. This diversity of em-
ployment was rendered necessary in his case and cannot,
therefore, be thought strange, rather should it be re-
garded as giving consistency to his life and imparting a
peculiar interest to his checkered history.
Henry Miller was born in the vicinity of Phoenix-
ville, Chester county. Pa., May 26th, 1807. He was
the youngest child and only son of Robert and Barbara
Miller. His father was of Scotch-Irish descent, his
mother, whose maiden name was Protsman, belonged to
a German family whose ancestors for several generations
were members of the old Trappe church, in Montgom-
ery county. Pa. At the early age of fourteen he went
REV. HENRY MILLER. 169
to Philadelphia, and attended school at the old Acad-
emy, then under the care of a certain Mr. Moore. He
remained here about seven years, pursuing his studies
and teaching in connection with his duties as a pupil.
During his stay in Philadelphia he appears to have been
a stated worshipper in the Race Street Reformed church,
where also he attended catechetical instruction under
the late Rev. Samuel Helffenstein, D. D., by whom he
was confirmed and received into full communion with
the Reformed Church in 1824.
Mr. Miller pursued his studies preparatory to the
holy ministry privately in the city of Philadelphia.
During the years 1825 — '26 he attended the classical
school of the Rev. Dr. S. B. Wyley. Having removed
his place of residence to another part of the city, he
studied successively under the care and supervision of
the Rev. Drs. Hernod and Kenedy — all of them worthy
and able ministers of the Presbyterian Church. Both
before and after entering the ministry. Brother Miller
was more or less engaged in teaching. In 1830 he had
charge of the Woodbury Academy, in the state of New
Jersey. The following year, 1831, he taught a mixed
school in Harmony Hall in the city of Philadelphia.
After submitting to a painful surgical operation in 1832,
he opened a school in Reading, Pa., and subsequently
taught for a time in one of the rural districts of Berks
county, while exercising his ministry occasionally in the
w^ay of assisting the Rev. J. C. Guldin, the pastor of
the Brownback charge, in Chester county. Pa.
Whether he completed his theological studies under
the Presbyterian ministers above mentioned, we cannot
170 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
say. In the brief and imperfect notes furnished us, it
is simply said, without any intimation of a change as to
his instructors, that, "continuing his studies, he was li-
censed to preach the gospel at Rearastown, Lancaster
county. Pa., in 1831," doubtless by what was then
known as the "Free Synod. '^ During the first several
years he preached as a licentiate, not having received a
call to a regular pastorate, and consequently remaining
unordained. Where, or in what particular way, Mr.
Miller spent these early years of his licentiate life, we
are not able to say. Probably he was not staying at
any one particular place during this period of his min-
istry, nor engaged in any regular line of duty, but
preached and exercised his gifts wherever opportunities
presented themselves. He stood in connection with the
so-called Free or Independent Synod about two years.
In the Fall of 1833 Mr. Miller applied to the mother
Synod then in session at Easton, Pa., asking to be re-
ceived as a member of that body. A committee, ap-
pointed to hold a tentamen with him, reported favor-
ably, recommending him for licensure. This report was
received and adopted.* He was subsequently ordained
at the meeting of Synod held at Chambersburg, Pa., in
1835, on the strength of a call from the Reformed peo-
ple of McConnellsburg, then in Bedford, now Fulton
county. Pa. His ordination took place, in connection
with that of the licentiate Joseph F. Berg, on Friday
evening, October 2nd, 1835. The Rev. Dr. Lewis
Mayer, together with the officers of the Synod, consti-
tuted the committee of ordination. In connection with
* Syn. Min., 1833, p. 19.
REV. HENRY MILLER. 171
McConnellsburg, Mr. Miller also served, for a time at
least, the Reformed congregation at Loudon, in Frank-
lin county. Pa.* During his pastorate in this place, he
was instrumental in organizing a new congregation and
having a church built at Knobsville, and also taught in
the Academy, at McConnellsburg. In 1837 he accepted
an agency from the Pennsylvania Colonization Society,
and continued to hold this position for about two years.
Prior to this, however, and soon after his union with
the old Synod, Mr. Miller had, in 1833 or '34, removed
to York, Pa., for the purpose of filling the chair of
mathematics in the institutions of the Church — the
High School in connection with the Theological Semi-
nary— located at that place. Arrangements having
been made for the removal of the institutions to Mer-
cersburg soon after, he resigned the professorship with a
view of accepting the call from t4ie McConnellsburg and
Loudon charge, as above stated.
On the 27th day of March, 1838, he was married to
Miss Sarah T. Cole— step-daughter of Captain S. Morse,
of Troy, Bradford county. Pa. He now left Pennsyl-
vania for the West, and settled in Tarlton, Pickaway
county, Ohio, and there entered fully upon the active
duties of the ministry. He became associated with the
Rev. Henry King and preached in the English language,
while Mr. King officiated in German. While here he
preached at Tarlton, Kinnickinnick, Warner's, Salt Creek
and Sippo. Two new churches and the organization of
four congregations were the result of his labors in this
field. He remained here four years and then returned
* Syn. Min., 1835, pp. 10—11, 26 ; and 1836, p. 78.
172 FATHERS OP THE REFORMED CHURCH.
East on a visit to his friends in 1842. While here cir-
cumstances prevented him from returning to the West.
For one year he remained on his farm, during which
time he buried two daughters born to him in Ohio.
Subsequently, in 1844, he settled in Lancaster, Pa., and
edited a paper called Reformer and Temperance Organ.
In 1848 he moved to Turbotville, Northumberland
county, Pa., and started a select school. Two years af-
terward, December 4th, 1850, he went to Chulasky,
Montour county, to teach and preach. In 1852 he re-
turned to Turbotville, and accepted the agency of the
'^American Sunday School Union'^ for Huntingdon and
Centre counties. After continuing in this work for
some years, he moved to Sbirleysburg, in Huntingdon
county. Pa., and engaged in educational work in con-
nection with the Academy of that place, which position
he occupied for about three years — up to 1861, when he
moved back to his old home in Chester county. Pa.
While living here he travelled about the country deliv-
ering lectures on various subjects, and preaching as op-
portunities presented themselves. In 1867 he moved to
Adamstown, Lancaster county. Pa., still continuing to
lecture as before. Five years later, in 1872, he re-
moved with his family to Waynesboro, Franklin county.
Pa., where he continued to reside up to the date of his
death. During the last two years of his life here, he
was mostly confined to his house on account of his ex-
treme old age and constantly increasing infirmities. He
died after a few weeks' confinement to his bed, on the
morning of May 29th, 1883, aged 76 years and 3 days.
He was laid to his rest in the Reformed graveyard, by
KEY. HENRY MILLER 173
the side of his daughter, on the evening of May Slst.
There were present at these solemn services two Re-
formed m nisters, two of the Presbyterian, and one of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Rev. Mr. A^-
new, a particular friend of Father Miller, delivered a
short funeral discourse. Four of his ministerial breth-
ren acted as pall-bearers, and together with others, took
part in the solemnities of the occasion.* The remains
of Father Miller and daughter have since been raised
and reburied in Greenhill Cemetery, close to Waynesboro.
Father Miller was always lame and comparatively
helpless, and as he grew older his lameness increased.
His condition was truly pitiable, and often did we watch
him with intense interest and heartfelt sympathy, while
entering or rather dragging himself into his carriage.
It was exceedingly difficult for him to get around; yet
notwithstanding this helplessness, he was always active
— zealously engaged in the work of the Master — con-
stantly going about from place to place, lecturing and
preaching, and thus trying to do some good and make
himself useful. He travelled extensively through seven
different states of the Union. Thus his life was spent
in the service and to the honor of his Master, until the
infirmities of old age compelled him to lay by his armor
and quietly await the coming of the Lord. In the year
1874, he passed through a season of severe affliction in
being called upon to bury his only remaining child and
daughter, a young lady of rare talent and ot an earnest
* For the materials used in the preparation of this sketch, we
are indebted to the courtesy of the Rev. Isaac M. Motter, who
kindly furnished them at the request of Mrs Miller.
174 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
and devoted Christian spirit. This sad event, together
with his bodily infirmities, east a dark cloud over his
hitherto active and cheerful life, and he could but wait
in silent expectancy the summons of his Lord to come
up higher. This blessed hour of release came at last to
the man of many sorrows; and at the appointed hour he
fell asleep calmly and sweetly in Jesus, looking for the
resurrection of the body and the life everlasting in the
world to come.*
*"Ref. Ch. Mess.," July 4, 1883, and "Christian World,"
July 12, 1883.
REV. WILLIAM F. P. DAVIS. 175
REV. WILLIAM F. P. DAVIS.
1831—1883.
Mr. Davis was born in Paradise township, York
county, Pa., a rural district in the south-eastern part of
this state, October 1, 1831. He was the son of John
and Isabella Davis, the latter a daughter of the late Rev.
Frederick William Vandersloot, and grand-daughter of
one of the earliest ministers of the Reformed Church in
this country, of the same name — a sister, accordingly, of
the Revs. Frederick William and F. Edward Vander-
sloot, and aunt of the late Rev. J. S. Vandersloot, son
of the Rev. F. Edward, and a cousin of Mr. Davis. She
was also a grand-daughter, on her mother's side, of the
Rev. Philip Reinhold Pauli, for many years pastor of
the Reformed church in the city of Reading, Pa. — the
father of the brethren Revs. William and Charles Au-
gustus Pauli — her uncles — who, for many successive
years exercised their ministry in the city of Reading
and vicinity — the former as successor to his venerable
father. Mr. Davis was accordingly a direct descendent
of both the Pauli and the Vandersloot families, so long
and so prominently represented in the ministry of the
Reformed Church of this country.*
* Fathers of the Reformed Church, vols. III. and IV. ; see
also " Hausfreund," June 23, 1883.
176 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
Mr. Davis was baptized, in infancy, by his maternal
uncle, the Rev. F. Edward Vandersloot, and subse-
quently catechised and confirmed by the Rev. Daniel
Ziegler, D. D., and received as a communicant member
of the Streeher's church, in York county, Pa. In early
life already he felt himself powerfully drawn towards the
w^ork of the holy ministry, so largely represented by his
ancestors, but was prevented from entering the sacred
office for want of means to prosecute his studies neces-
sary to qualify him for the work. He learned the trade
of a saddler and spent a number of years in this occupa-
tion. In this way he sought to acquire the means nec-
essary for the prosecution of his literary and theological
studies. He commenced his preparatory course in the
excellent high school or academy, kept for many years
and successfully presided over by the late Prof. Geo. W.
Ruby, Ph. D., in York, Pa. Subsequently he entered
Franklin and Marshall College, at Lancaster, Pa.,
where he graduated in 1861, after which he entered the
Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church, then lo-
cated at Mercersburg, Pa., and completed his studies in
the same in 1863. During his student life, he was in
the habit of working with the farmers, in the vicinity of
Lancaster, many of whom still remember him and speak
of him with respect as an industrious and skillful labor-
er. His excellent character and conduct made a very
favorable impression on the minds of these simple-
hearted and unsophisticated tillers of the soil. They
saw that a student, devoted to science and literature,
possessed at the same time both the requisite will and
capacity to engage in useful manual labor.
REV. WILLIAM F. P. DAVIS. 177
In the Spring of 1863 Mr. Davis was licensed by
the Zion^s Classis, and during the same year ordained
and installed as pastor of the Abbottstown or New Ox-
ford charge, in Adams county, Pa.* This first charge
he served faithfully and with success for a period of
about nine years. After the death of his relative, the
Rev. Chas. Augustus Pauli, in the Fall of 1871, Mr.
Davis became his successor in the Sinking Spring charge,
in Berks county. Pa., then composed of five congrega-
tions, namely. Sinking Spring, Hain's, Yocum's, Kis-
singer's and St. John's at Hamburg. Several of these
congregations he subsequently resigned and had the
charge reconstructed, so that latterly it consisted of four
congregations. He served his people faithfully, and, as
a consequence, was highly respected and loved by them.
In several of the congregations he was particularly suc-
cessful in gathering in members, and thus adding to the
numerical strength of the charge. His preaching was
of a high order — practical and popular. He preached
the Gospel in its purity, excellence and saving power ;
and his efforts were crowned with signal success. He
officiated in both the English and German languages —
using them with equal facility, accuracy and effect.
Taken altogether, Mr. Davis was one of our best and
most successful pastors, sincerely devoted to the spiritual
welfare of his numerous parishioners, and well deserving
of their grateful remembrance.
Mr. Davis was married to Miss Ellen E. Myers, of
York, Pa., October 22nd, 1863. They had ten chil-
*Syn. Min., 1863, pp. 20, 115; see also "Kef. Ch. Mess.,"
Jan. 27, 1883.
12
178 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH
dren, seven of whom — five sods and two daughters —
survive their sainted father. Three of the children pre-
ceded him to the eternal world.
Mr. Davis was a heavy-built man, of robust consti-
tution and general good health. He was, however, pre-
disposed to apoplexy. As far back as the 12th of March,
1881, he had an attack of this kind, from which, how-
ever, he soon recovered sufficiently to enable him to at-
tend to the duties of his calling. On the 21st of Feb-
ruary, 1883, he had a second attack, from which he never
fully recovered. Still, although partially disabled, he
continued to attend to his pastoral duties, but not with-
out considerable effort and inconvenience. At length
he was so much debilitated that he could scarcely con-
duct the services of the sanctuary. A few weeks prior
to his decease, he told his congregations that he needed
at least three months' rest, and, as advised by his physi-
cians, entire freedom from clerical duties. By that time
he hoped to be able to see whether he could further
serve his congregations or«not. He was advised to take
a voyage to Europe, and, on the day preceding his death
he completed his arrangements for the proposed trip.
Shortly before midnight, on the 10th of June, he had a
third attack of the fatal disease. He lay in an uncon-
scious state until the next morning, Monday, June 11,
1883, when between five and six o'clock, in the bosom
of his family, at Reading, Pa., Brother Davis gently fell
asleep in Jesus, aged 51 years, 8 months and 10 days.
His funeral took place on Thursday following, at one
o'clock, p. m. The services were held in St. Paul's Ref.
church, at Reading, of which the family were members.
REV. WILLIAM F. P. DAVIS. 179
•A large number of the members of the several churches
which Brother Davis served, were present to testify their
love and attachment to their esteemed pastor. Some
forty or fifty ministers of different denominations were
also present at these solemnities, many of whom took
part in the same. The services at the house were con-
ducted by the Rev. Dr. McCauley. The assembled mul-
titude then went to St. Paul's church. Dr. Miller, of
York, Pa., read the Scripture lesson and offered a prayer
in English. He was succeeded by the Rev. Dr. Kremer
in a German prayer. Rev. A. S. Leinbach preached
a German discourse from Rev. 2 : 10 : ^^ Be thou faith-
ful unto death, etc." Rev. Dr. Bausman preached an
English sermon from 2. Tim. 4: 5—8. The Rev. L. K.
Evans conducted the services at the grave. The breth-
ren, Revs. H. Mosser, D. B. Albright, T. C. Leinbach,
A. J. Bachman, John H. Leinbach, and L. D. Steckel,
acted as pall-bearers.
Beautiful and affecting was the presence of so large
a number of the members of the pastoral charge of
Brother Davis to testify their extreme sorrow, and bear
testimony to the zeal and fidelity of their beloved pastor.
Beautiful and appropriate, also, was it that so large a
number of his clerical brethren should be present and
participate in the solemnities attending the final dispo-
sal of his mortal remains. It was, at the same time,
hard to see the stricken wife and mother with her seven
sorrowing children sitting beside the open coffin of a be-
loved husband and a kind father, of whom they had
been suddenly and unexpectedly deprived. Here was
room for the consoling promises of Him who is the " Fa-
180 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
ther of the fatherless/' and a "judge of the widow.".
Well is it for us all to remember under such circum-
stances what is written : ^' Blessed are the dead who die
in the Lord, from henceforth : Yea, saith the Spirit —
that they may rest from their labors, and their works do
follow them."
REV. GERHARD HENRY ZUMPE. 181
KEV. GERHARD HENRY ZUMPE.
1803—1883.
The subject of this sketch was a European by birth
and education, and came to this country, apparently, as
an ordained minister, when about thirty years of age.
From an obituary published in the Kirchenzeitung, we
learn that he was born in Lotta, in the Province of
Tecklenburg, Germany, January 12th, 1803. When
twenty years of age he entered the Berlin Mission
School, in order to prepare himself for missionary work
among the heathen. Whether it was that no suitable
field of this character presented itself, or whether he
changed his mind as to the future sphere of his labors,
he never engaged in the distinctive work of foreign mis-
sions. In place of going to the heathen world, he came
to America, in company with some friends, in 1832,
landing in Baltimore, Md., on the 11th of December, in
that year, after a sea voyage of fifteen weeks.
Soon after his arrival in Baltimore, he came to Hag-
erstown, Md., where he remained about one year. What
was his employment while here we are not able to say.
From this place he proceeded to Cumberland, in the
same state, where he spent about two months, when he
started for the West, and settled down in Cincinnati,
182 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
Ohio, but remained here only about one year. We know
nothing of his employment during his residence in the
"Queen City of the West." Travelling still further
West, he at length, in the year 1834, came to Wayne
county, Ind., where he collected several congregations,
to which he preached the word of God, serving them as
pastor. During his residence here he was married to Miss
Maria Bauman, who survives him. Here likewise he
was unsettled, and hence after some years of ministerial
labor, removed with his wife to Poland, in Clay county,
Ind., where, for a period of twenty years, he labored
faithfully and with much success. For a short time,
about the year 1850, we find him at Evansville, in the
same state, but, after a short time, he returned again to
Poland, where he continued his labors up to 1866.
About this time his labors came to a close. Advancing
age and bodily infirmities admonished him that his ac-
tive duties in the ministry of reconciliation were draw-
ing to a close, and the work of his earnest life must soon
be abandoned. He now removed with his family to
Terre Haute, Ind., where he spent the evening of his
life. During a short vacancy in the pastorate of that
place, Father Zumpe supplied the congregation with
preaching for one year. This was the last regular ser-
vice which he rendered the Church as pastor.
From the brief account furnished in the Kirchenzeit-^
ung and copied in the Hausfreundj of August 30, 1883,
we learn that Father Zumpe was a good man, an earnest
Christian and a faithful minister of the Gospel of the
Grace of God. His labors were crowned with the divine
benediction, and proved eminently useful to his parish-
REV. GERHARD HENRY ZUMPE. 183
ioners — the souls committed to his spiritual care and
oversight. He magnified his office and made it condu-
cive to the eternal welfare of his fellow-men. The even-
ing of his life was calm and peaceful, and his departure
full of hope. The precious promises of the Gospel,
which he had often and earnestly preached to others,
now proved his only and all sufficient solace. The Lord
who had called him into his service, graciously sus-
tained and comforted His aged servant in his last hours.
He expired in great peace, surrounded by the members
of his family, August 7th, 1883, aged 80 years, 6 months
and 25 days.
On the following Thursday, August 9th, in the af-
ternoon, the funeral solemnities took place.
184 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
REV. CHARLES H. LEINBACH, D. D.
1815—1883.
Dr. Leinbach belonged to a family distinguished for
the number of ministers which it has furnished to the
Reformed Church. The Rev. Thomas Hartman Lein-
bach, an older brother and predecessor of Charles in the
paslorate of his last field of labor, preceded him to the
eternal world in 1864. Three sons and two grandsons
of this elder brother are now in the ministry of the Re-
formed Church, as well as a son of the younger brother,
the Rev. Dr. Charles H. Leinbach. Five of these six
ministers, now in the active duties of their official call-
ing, bear the common family name — the other one being
the son of the late excellent and devoted Rev. Joel L.
Reber, who departed this life in 1856.*
Charles Hartman Leinbach — the subject of this
sketch — was born in Oley Township, Berks county. Pa.,
November 7th, 1815. His parents were Mr. Daniel
Leinbach and his wife, Maria Magdalena, whose maiden
name was Hartman. Both of these brethren — Thomas
and Charles — bear the maternal name along with that
of the father. His parents lived on a farm in the rich
* See Vols. III. and IV. of this work, for memoirs of these
sainted brethren.
REV. CHARLES H. LEINBACH, D. D. 185
and celebrated Oley Valley — so famed for the produc-
tiveness of its soil and the rich luxurience of the crops
produced by its highly cultivated and carefully managed
farms. The father was thrice married, and had twenty-
four children born to him. Of these many children,
Charles was the last survivor. They grew up on the
ancestral farm amidst the charms of rural scenes and ac-
customed to hard work, both of which circumstances
served a good purpose in forming "the character of these
worthy men and successful ministers of Christ. To
these circumstances may be added the fact that Father
Leinbach was naturally bright and gifted, and at the
same time better educated than the generality of the in-
habitants of that section of country, while the mother
was distinguished for her piety and other estimable qual-
ities of heart and mind. She was devoted to the read-
ing of the Bible and the daily use of her prayer-book,
an efficient means of grace and religious improvement to
our pious ancestors. Earnest in her religious life, she
devoted the quiet hours of the Lord's day to her personal
devotions and the care and religious trainingof her chil-
dren. To these pious labors the sainted brother fre-
quently referred with evident emotion and a deep sense
of gratitude for so excellent a mother.
The Leinbach family were descended from the Mo-
ravians, and shared to some extent in the piety and su-
perior educational privileges of these excellent people.
In the vicinity of their home was a small settlement of
these good people, and a school house, where occasional
religious services were held by them, aided in their spir-
itual training as well as in their secular or mental cul-
186 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
ture. Father Leinbach — the ancestor of the deceased
and their families — died when Charles was only three
years old, and the mother followed her life companion
about nineteen years later. The elder — Rev. Thomas
H. Leinbach — was ordained to the ministry in 1822. In
his early youth already Charles felt himself called to the
office of the holy ministry, and in 1835 commenced his
preparatory studies in private. In 1837 he came to
Marshall College, at Mercersburg, Pa., and entered up-
on a literary course in the same, which, however, he did
not fully complete. His theological studies he pursued
at the same place in connection with the Seminary
of the Reformed Church then located there. He com-
pleted his theological course in 1841, and at the meeting
of Synod in Reading, Pa., during the same year, he was
licensed to preach the Gospel, and in December ordained
at Myerstown, Pa., by acommitteeof the Lebanon Clas-
sis, consisting of the Revs. David Bossier and Henry
Wagner. For about one year subsequent to his ordina-
tion, he acted as assistant of his elder brother — the Rev.
Thomas H. Leinbach, in the pastorate of the Tulpehock-
€n charge, in the western border of Berks county.
On the 6th of November, 1842, he became pastor of
the Landisburg charge, in Perry county. Pa., as succes-
or to the Rev. Jacob Scholl, deceased, who had for
many years labored faithfully and with success in this
extensive field. He preached only in the German lan-
guage, but the young people were rapidly growing into
an English community, and thus rendering services in this
new language alsolutely necessary. When Brother Lein-
bach became their pastor, he at once introduced English
REV. CHARLES H. LEIXBACH, D. D. LS?
preaching, while he continued to minister also in the
German language, which was more familiar to the aged
portion of his people. His labors were highly appreci-
ated and produced a rich harvest of spiritual fruits, es-
pecially among the young and rising generation. His
catechetical instructions were conducted in the English
language exclusively, and were largely attended by the
young people, whose education in this tongue enabled
them to appreciate his efforts in their behalf. Large
numbers of older persons, also, are said to have attended
these interesting exercises. He confirmed many per-
sons, both young and old — organized Sunday schools
for the benefit of the young — visited his parishioners as
often as possible, and, in this way, his entire charge was
greatly improved, and, in the course of a few years pre-
sented a new and altered appearance. He organized,
during his pastorate, two new congregations, one in Lan-
disburg and one in the country — the Ludolph's. Thus
his charge eventually came to embrace six congregations,
with a large population widely scattered, and in a hilly
country with rough roads. His extensive and growing
charge required a vast amount of official work ; still he
found time to visit his members at their homes, and for
their convenience to hold frequent special religious ser-
vices both in churches and school houses. Besides this,
he also introduced social meetings for prayer and reli-
gious instruction among his people. These served a
good purpose in that section of country, and under the
peculiar circumstances in which he found the people of
his charge. He was both prudent and zealous in his
work, and did all in his power to improve the spiritual
188 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
condition of his people. During his ministry here of
sixteen years and a half, he baptized nine hundred in-
fants and fifty adults, and confirmed nearly one thou-
sand persons, who applied for church membership. His
charge grew from two hundred and fifty to seven hun-
dred communicants. Four new churches were built
during his pastorate, of which that in Landisburg alone
was exclusively Reformed — the remainder being union
churches.
In May, 1859, Dr. Leinbach became pastor of the
Lewisburg charge, in Union county. Pa., which con-
sisted of two congregations — that in town and the Dreis-
bach's. He continued in this position a little over five
years, up to June, 1864, serving his people faithfully
and with commendable success. He baptized during
his labors here, fourteen adults and one hundred and
fifty-three children, and received by confirmation ninety-
seven members into the Church.
In June, 1864, he was elected successor to his saint-
ed brother — the Rev. Thomas H. Leinbach — in the
Tulpehocken charge — consisting of the Tulpehocken,
St. James' (Jacob's) and Mt. Zion congregations. This
was the most laborious pastorate in his long and event-
ful ministry. The territory was extensive, the mem-
bership numerous, and the labors abundant. For nearly
twenty years he bore up under the excessive labors and
exhaustive cares — ministering with his usual zeal and
fidelity to his beloved and devoted parishioners. The
general social and religious condition of the charge was
greatly improved. His efforts to awaken and foster a
spirit of benevolence were very successful, as evidenced
REV. CHARLES H. LEINBACH, D. D. 189
in the greatly increased contributions to this object.
His own liberality served as a stimulus to his people.
Long-continued and severe were his labors in their be-
half. At last his naturally strong and robust constitu-
tion gave way, and a general prostration of his system
supervened. For about a year preceding his death he
was more or less delicate in health. Having contracted
a severe cold, he suffered from a troublesome cough, but
recovered from this attack sufficiently to attend, with
some degree of regularity, to his official duties. Dur-
ing the past Winter, however, he was frequently ex-
posed to the inclemency of the weather, and thus con-
tracted a new cold, which finally culminated in con-
sumption. Although not confined to bed by his com-
plaint, he was yet very weak, and, finally, after several
successive hemorrhages, passed away in peace, on Sun-
day morning, July 15, 1883, aged 67 years, 8 months
and 8 days.*
The following interesting facts, relative to the closing
scenes in the life of the deceased, were kindly furnished
by his son, the Rev. J. Calvin Leinbach. He says:
*^ Father preached his last sermon on Sunday, January
14th, 1883, and performed his last ministerial act on
Saturday, July 14th, 1883, the day preceding his death,
in solemnizing a marriage. On Sunday morning, July
15th, 1883, after having rested well during the night,
he arose about five o'clock, looked out upon the beauti-
ful scene of a bright Lord's day morning, and heard the
sweet tones of the old church bell ring out for the last
* Obituary by the Rev. Dr. Bausman, in " Ref. Ch. Mess.,"
July 25, 1883.
190 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
time — then Jaid himself down to rest a little longer,
when, about fifteen minutes later, he was seized with a
severe hemorrhage, and without a struggle his spirit
took its flight, at the hour of six, his wish being grati-
fied— to die in the harness on a Lord's day morning.
The remote cause of his death was bronchitis, and the
immediate cause a hemorrhage consequent on a bronchial
and pulmonary affection, from which he suffered about
six months."
The funeral services were held in the old Tulpe-
hocken or Trinity church, on Friday morning, July 20th,
1883, and his mortal remains were piously laid to rest
in the beautiful cemetery connected with that ancient
and venerable place of worship, in which he had so long
and so faithfully preached the precious Gospel of the
grace of God. It was a day long to be remembered. A
very large and deeply affected assemblage of his personal
friends and devoted parishioners were present to show
their appreciatitm of the now departed shepherd, who
had so lovingly ministered to their spiritual wants and
shown himself a firm and faithful friend and brother in
the Lord. Besides the unusually large number of relat-
ed ministers that sat among the mourners, there were
present on this sad occasion many of the clergy of the
Reformed Church, about forty or more, with others of
sister denominations, seven in number, to sympathize
with the afflicted family, as well as to show their high
regard for the excellent ministerial brother, who had
been called away to receive his final and blessed reward.
The Rev. Dr. Bausman had charge of the funeral
solemnities, and presided on the sad occasion. Suitable
REV. CHARLES H. LEINBACH, D. D. 191
discourses were delivered by the Rev. Drs. Gerhart and
McCauley, by the former in German and the latter in
English. Short addresses were also delivered by the
Rev. M. A. Smith and Drs. Geo. Wolff and C. Z.\Vei-
ser. Owing to the large crowd of people present, a sec-
ond service was at the same time conducted in the base-
ment of the church by the Rev. Dr. J. E. Hiester, Rev.
D. W. Gerhard, and the Rev. S. Sweitzer. Notwith-
standing these two contemporaneous services, hundreds
of persons remained outside of the church, owing to a
want of room. Quite a number of the brethren present
took part in the services, among whom the Rev. Drs.
Wm. M. Reily, J. O. Miller, A. H. Kremer, W. H. H.
Snyder, and the Rev. A. J. Long of the Lutheran
Church. The funeral is said to have been the largest
ever witnessed in that section of country — the number of
persons present being estimated at about five thousand.
Dr. Lembach was physically strong and robust, in-
clined to corpulency, of medium size and florid com-
plexion, pleasant and agreeable in his manners, and ex-
ceedingly sociable and entertaining when in company.
His natural endowments were good and well-balanced.
His education, although not full and complete, was re-
spectable and of a practical cast. He was compelled,
by the force of circumstances, to shorten his literary and
theological course ; but, in spite of these defects, he was
a good general scholar, and, what is best of all, a labo-
rious, faithful and efficient minister of Christ. He
magnified his office ; and the fruits of his earnest pul-
pit and pastoral labors were abundant, being well rep-
resented also by some of the younger members in the
192 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
ranks of the Reformed ministry. He was a firm friend
of the Church, as well as of all her ministers and mem-
bers, and did all that lay in his power to uphold her
character and to advance her spiritual interests. He
occupied at different times positions of trust and respon-
sibility in the Church, as, for instance, in the Board of
Missions, Foreign and Domestic; in the Board of Vis-
itors of the Theological Seminary ; in the Board of
Managers of the Orphans' Home. In all these various
relations he approved himself a faithful servant of the
Lord, and of His Church and kingdom.
In 1875, the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity
was bestowed on him by the Trustees of Franklin and
Marshall College. He was a warm and devoted friend
of education, and for many years occupied a place in
the Board of Trustees of Palatinate College, and, for a
time, also acted as its President.
On November 3rd, 1842, Dr. Leinbach was married
to Miss Harriet Miller Forney, of Womelsdorf, Berks
county, Pa., with whom he had ten children, five sons
and five daughters. His widow and six children —
three sons and three daughters — survive him, and also
one little grand-daughter ; two sons and two daughters
having preceded their father to the unseen and eternal
world.
The statistics of his ministry are as follows : Infant
baptisms, 2,600 ; adult baptisms, 140 ; confirmations,
2,100 ; marriages, 807 ; sermons and lectures, 7,600.
These abundant labors show the extraordinary zeal and
fidelity of the sainted brother, and accord well with the
REV. CHARLES H. LEINBACH, D. D. 193
words employed as the basis of his funeral discourse:
" His lord said unto him : Well done, good and faith-
ful servant ; thou hast been faithful over a few things,
I will make thee ruler over many things : enter thou
into the joy of thy lord."
13
194 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
EEV. JACOB ORTH.
1837—1883.
Our information in regard to the early life of this
excellent Christian and faithful servant of the Lord is
very scant. We only know that he was borri in the
year 1837, in the colony of Worms, Department of
Kherson (Cheronesus), in Southern Russia. The names
of his parents are not known to us, nor have we any def-
inite information as to his early life and training for the
ministry.
Some eight or ten years ago he came to this country
in connection with a large number of German Russian
emigrants, who left their native country, and, after
reaching the New World, settled in the southern part
of Dakota as tillers of the soil. Whether Mr. Orth was
engaged in any secular business prior to his reception
into the ministry of the Reformed Church, we do not
know. In 1877 he was licensed and ordained by the
Sheboygan Classis, with a view of laboring as mission-
ary pastor among his countrymen in their new home.
He entered upon his work in the true spirit of an am-
bassador of God, earnestly and faithfully serving these
people in the gospel of the grace of God. His efforts
were owned and blessed, and, in the course of time,
REV. JACOB ORTH. 195
quite a number of congregations were organized and
formed into a pastoral charge through his instrumentali-
ty. He is justly regarded as the founder of the Re-
formed Church in that section of country, and as the
pioneer missionary among that people. This difficult
work he performed without any aid from the Board of
Missions, depending for his support upon the good will
of his people. And, although he finally succeeded in
gathering together and bringing into regular organiza-
tion eleven congregations, embracing some two hundred
and forty families, and extending over three counties,
he received but a very moderate support. In view of
this fact, he had to trav^el a great deal on foot, making
long and wearisome journeys, exposed to all kinds of
weather, not unfrequently with insufficient clothing, so
that he suffered much in his health and undoubtedly
shortened his laborous and useful life. An intimate
friend of his, the Rev. H. Bentz, in a sketch of his life
published in the Hausfreund of Dec. 20, 1883, says :
" As the first settlers — his countrymen and members of
his charge — suffered greatly from the ravages of the
grasshoppers and the failure of the crops, his labors
were excessive and injurious to his health. Frequently
he had to make long journeys across the prairies, with-
out the necessary clothing, or the means of conveyance
required in the case. During the earlier years of his
ministry he was often obliged to preach in private
houses, which were small and low in the ceiling, and
thus unsuited for such large audiences. In this way,
by exposure during his long and tedious journeys, and
by the ill effects of preaching in confined and unsuitable
196 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
places, he undoubtedly laid the foundation of his suffer-
ings and early death. "I have worked myself to
death/' he said to me during a visit paid him about two
weeks previous to his death."
This is a sad story, but one which appropriately de-
scribes the life and labor of many a faithful minister in
our frontier settlements. Their excessive labors, fre-
quent exposure, and the many other disadvantages un-
der which they are obliged to exercise their ministry,
undermine their health and bring on an early death.
Brother Orth resided at Lesterville, near Yankton,
during his pastorate in Dakota, where after protracted
sufferings, he died Nov. 3rd, 1883, in the full triumph
of the Christian faith, beloved and respected by the
people of his charge, whom he so long and so faithfully
served during the entire period of his ministerial life.
His age was forty-seven years.
On Monday, November 5th, the good brother's mor-
tal remains were laid to rest in hope of a future and
blessed resurrection. The Rev. Charles Bonekemper
attended to the liturgical services in connection with his
burial, and the Rev. H. Bentz preached the funeral ser-
mon on Hebrews 13: 7 — ''Remember them which
have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the
word of God, whose faith follow, considering the end of
their conversation.'' Requiescat in pace.
REV. MORTIMER L. SHUFORD. 197
REV. MORTIMER L. SHUFORD.
1818—1883.
In the decease of this excellent brother, we have lost
a personal and very dear friend, having been associated
with him, as classmate, during our entire literary and
theological course. We always esteemed him very high-
ly and now deem it a pleasure to bear this public testi-
mony to his worth. Brother Shuford was a universal
favorite with his fellow students. He stood well in his
classes, was attentive to his studies, kind-hearted, genial
and courteous. He is remembered also as a very pleas-
ant and efficient speaker. His feelings were strong and
easily moved, his imagination brilliant, his voice clear
and ringing, and his whole manner agreeable and im-
pressive. We might recount many pleasant reminis-
cences of our student life if it were deemed necessary.
The following beautiful and appropriate sketch of
his life was prepared by the Rev. Geo. L. Staley, D. D.,
and read at a memorial service held in his late charge.
This sketch we propose to use with such slight changes
only as may be deemed necessary to adapt it to our spe-
cial purpose. After a few preliminary remarks, Dr. Sta-
ley proceeds to say:*
'=- See "Ref. Ch. Mess.," Jan. 2, 1881.
198 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
The Rev. Mortimer L. Shuford was born in Ruth-
erford county, N. C, January 24th, 1818, and departed
this life at Washington, D. C, November 7th, 1883.
^' The family to which he belonged,'' according to the
statement of a gentleman in no way connected with it,
"is a very large one, many of the descendants of the
grandfather of the Rev. M. L. Shuford having settled
in adjoining Southern states ; and as far as the facts are
known, few families of the size of this one, have main-
tained the same character of respectability — none more
so." His great-grandfather was one of the earliest emi-
grants to that part of the old North State, in which the
family is still largely represented, and went thither from
York, Pa., making a home for himself in Lincoln county.
His grandfather, Jacob Shuford, was born in this house,
February 12th, 1770, and in 1790 was married to Mar-
garet Hoyl, who was descended from a highly respect-
able family, that had lived for several generations near
Wiesbaden, Germany, but emigrated to this country in
1741, taking up its residence, first, in Frederick county,
Md., and three years later, fixing its permanent home
on the south fork of the Catawba River, in what was
then known as Trion county. As the fruit of this
marriage there were eleven children, seven sons and
four daughters, all of whom, as far as the writer can as-
certain, established families and names of the highest
respectability. Martin P. Shuford was the eldest son
of this family, and two of his sons entered the ministry
of the Gospel, the Rev. M. L. Shuford as a Reformed,
and the Rev. I. L. Shuford, now of St. Matthew's, S. C,
as a Methodist minister. The Rev. J. H. Shuford, Re-
EEV. MORTIMER L. SHUFORD. 199
formed pastor at Altemont, 111., belongs also to this
family, being a son of a full cousin of our deceased
brother In all its branches the Shuford family has
occupied places of honor and influence in their several
communities, as professional and business men — as
members of the Legislature in both branches — as county
officers, and last, but not least, as prominent and suc-
cessful farmers. This bit of family history is here given
for the value it has, in setting forth conspicuously, how
the Divine promise is fulfilled, in the order of the
Christian family life, from one generation to another,
" Upon them that fear Him — to such as keep His cove-
nant, and to those who remember His commandment^
to do them."
Of the early life of our departed brother, I have
been able to ascertain but little deserving mention up to
the time of his going to college. One little incident,
perhaps significant of his future in another form, is all
that I will relate. During a war excitement which pre-
vailed in his neighborhood, he joined a regiment that
had been raised for the war against the Seminole Indi-
ans, and served for a short time as its Adjutant. Before
doing any actual military service, his grandfather (his
father having died in 1836) induced him to change his
plans and enter upon a course of preparation for a higher
and nobler service under the great Captain of the Sacra-
mental host of God^s elect. This little circumstance he
referred to frequently in his family by way of amusing
his children, describing their father arrayed in full regi-
mentals, with waving plume, and drawn sword, mounted
on a spirited horse, riding proudly up and down the
line of soldiers in full military array.
200 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
There was, however, other and better work than
this for him to do. His pious grandfather, impressed
with the conviction that he had abilities that would, if
properly improved, qualify him for the preaching of the
everlasting Gospel, determined to educate him for this
work. Accordingly, in January, 1838, he entered the
Preparatory Department of Marshall College at Mercers-
burg, Pa., and having completed the full college curri-
culum, graduated in 1844, having during the latter
part of his classical course, carried along some theologi-
cal studies. In the same year, in company with the
Rev. H. St. John Pinker, and the late Rev. Hiram
Shaull, he appeared before the Virginia Classis, in ses-
sion at Zion's Church, Virginia, as a candidate for
licensure. His examination proved satisfactory, he was
duly licensed, and on presenting a call from the Lovetts-
ville charge, Va., was ordained also to the work of the
holy ministry. On the 11th of July following, he was
married to Lucinda C. Sohn, of Mercersburg, Pa., a
marriage which the Lord blessed with seven children,
of which there are now but two remaining in the land
of the living.
The Lovettsville pastorate continued for a period of
five years, and seems (in the absence of any definite in-
formation) to have been, to say the least, moderately
successful.
In November, 1849, he accepted a call to the Glade
charge, Frederick county, Md., beginning his work there
on the 21st of the month, but was not installed until the
following June. During the eight years of his stay
among this people he was enabled to build a fine brick
REV. MORTIMER L. SHUFORD. 201
chiarch for the Glade congregation, while preaching and
exercising pastoral care over the six or more congrega-
tions that formed the charge.
The present pastor, Rev. S. M. Hench, writes that
" his labors were crowned with much success, and we are
told by the older surviving members that his leaving
was the cause of almost universal regret."
In 1857 he became pastor of the Mt. Moriah charge,
Washington county, Md., making Sharpsburg his place
of residence, at which place the church was handsomely
repaired during his pastorate, only to be almost entirely
destroyed by the ravages of the late war — one shell hav-
ing passed through its walls — and after the great battle
of the Antietam, it was pressed into service as a hospital
for the wounded.
It was during this period of his life that he was called
to pass through an experience of disaster, and suffering,
and sorrow and poverty, such as falls to the lot of but
few. In 1861, while kindling a fire, he struck an eye
against the corner of an open door of the stove with such
force as to destroy its sight entirely. In August, 186z,
two daughters died, the victims of a fatal disease, mak-
ing vacant their places in the home circle, and bringing
desolation to the hearts of those left behind, and in the
following year a son was killed by the explosion of a
shell found on the Antietam battle-field, and supposed,
from the fact of its having long been lying in water, to
be harmless. In addition to these things, Sharpsburg,
his place of residence, was directly on the line of march
of the contending armies, that came and went like the
waves of the flowing and ebbing sea. Compelled more
202 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
than once to flee from his home, with his wife and little
children, while balls and shells were falling thick and
fast around them, he returned when the danger was over,
only to find "his little family establishment (as an eye-
witness testified at the time) a complete wreck." Thus
in affliction and persecution, in disaster and poverty, he
wrought on as best he could, doing the Master's work,
bearing his trials (as the same witness testifies) with un-
wavering patience.
During the year 1863 he removed from this scene of
desolation and suffering to Boonsboro, Md., and served
as the pastor of the congregation there, and of the con-
gregation at Funkstown also, at which place (last named)
he completed the church building that had been com-
menced during the incumbency of the Rev. L. A. Brun-
ner. The people of both these congregations speak of
him with much tenderness and affection.
In 1867 he received and accepted a call to the Win-
chester congregation, Va., in whose service he labored,
as the present pastor states, " with zeal, and as good suc-
cess as could be reasonably expected, considering the pe-
culiar circumstances of this charge at that time. The
church edifice had to be almost entirely rebuilt and as
there was but little money here, the pastor went abroad
and succeeded in collecting enough for the purpose. He
was greatly respected in this community as a man and a
minister of the Gospel." In April, 1873, he became
the pastor of this (Burkittsville) charge, which he served
faithfully for nearly eleven years, and where, for the
first time in his pastoral work, he seemed to enjoy a
comparatively quiet and restful life. The charge being
REV. MORTIMER L. SHUFORD. 203
a small one, easy to labor in, with a membership tender-
ly attached to him, and lovingly providing for his wants,
as they were able, he enjoyed the evening of his' life here,
I think, more than its morning or noontide spent in oth-
er places. We may say, speaking geographically, that
the circle of his life as a minister had completed itself
here, as this, his last parish, is almost within sight of the
one in which it began.
The sum total of his work, as far as it can be ex-
pressed in figures (and a miserably poor way it is to set
forth the results of a minister's life work) is as follows :
Baptisms, 970 ; confirmations, 371 ; funeral services,
413, and marriages, 228. And in this connection it
may be proper to say that he was honored three times
by an election as President of Classis — twice in the
Maryland and once in the Virginia Classis ; and by an
election, also, as Vice-President of the late Synod of the
Potomac at Newton, N. C.
The meeting of this Synod furnished a fitting close
to his ministerial life. He had long earnestly desired
to visit his native State, to move once more among the
scenes of his youth, mingle again with those of his own
"kith and kin," and stand beside his father's grave —
all of which this meeting of Synod gave him the oppor-
tunity to do. On the Sunday of this meeting he
preached at Smyrna, about twelve miles from Newton,
and administered, for the last time in his life, the Holy
Communion. On Sunday, October 28, he preached
twice at Hickory, where Mr. Hamilton, a citizen of that
place, in a letter to the writer, says, "It was my privi-
lege to hear him preach. His sermon was able and ear-
204 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
nest. He referred to the fact that his work for the
Master was nearly finished, and that he was speaking
to his audience for the last time on earth. His words
were solemn and impressive, and I trust will produce
fruit."
On the following Wednesday evening he preached
in the Methodist church, near his brother's house, with
whom he remained until Friday, and while there vis-
ited his father's grave. On Saturday he attended a
funeral at St. Paul's church, near Newton, and at Dr.
Clapp's desire, preached the sermon. On Sunday morn-
ing, Nov. 4th, he preached in the church at Newton, in
the afternoon at a church, distant three miles, and at
Newton again at night. Of this, his last work. Dr.
Clapp says : *' The text was, ^ Behold, I stand at the
door and knock,' etc. An unusual solemnity pervaded
the audience. The sermon was very earnest and the
impression deep, and it will be lasting."
After all this work and labor of love, without rest,
he started on his homeward journey on Sunday night,
hoping to make such connection at Washington as
would enable him to reach home the following night.
He arrived at Washington on Monday evening, to make
connection, not with any westward bound train, but far
more glorious, to go to his Home in the Paradise of the
Blessed by the way of suffering and death, the Master
had ordained. And thus quickly, without prolonged
and wasting sickness, just as he had been, perhaps, more
than usually, active and earnest in the service of the
Lord, he heard and obeyed the summons — "Come up
higher."
REV. MORTIMER L. SHUFORD. 205
Such was the life, in brief, of our departed brother,
as it is, with a few modifications, the simple story of the
average pastor's life — full of labor, and suffering, and
sorrow, and poverty, with none of the rewards and few
of the compensations, that come to men in other spheres
of this world's activities. After almost forty years of
pastoral work, sacrificing himself for the salvation of
others, he leaves to his widow and children only a few
books and his household effects. But, far better than
money, or houses, or land, he leaves them the name and
record of a life, though humble and unobtrusive, fully
spent in the service of the Master.
Brother Shuford, as already stated, died very sudden-
ly in the city of Washington, D. C, on his return from
the meeting of Synod at Newton, N. C, on Wednesday,
Nov. 7, 1883, aged 65 years, 9 months and 13 days.
His remains were removed to his late residence in Bur-
kittsville, Md., where appropriate funeral services were
held on Friday, Nov. 9th. The following brethren
were present and participated in the solemnities of the
occasion : Rev. Drs. G. L. Staley and E. R. Eschbach,
Revs. J. S. Kieffer, L. G. Kremer, S. S. Miller, A. C.
Geary, N. H. Skyles, A. J. Heller, T. F. and H. W.
Hoffmeier, of the Reformed Church, together with five
of his Lutheran brethren. Appropriate addresses were
delivered by the brethren Staley, Skyles and Kieffer.
The officers of the church acted as pall-bearers. A very
large number of persons were in attendance.
Subsequently an appropriate memorial service was
held in the church at Burkittsville, on Thursday morn-
ing, the 13th of December. There were present the
206 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
Rev. Drs. Santee and Staley, the Revs. T. F. and H. W.
Hoffmeier, Skyles, Heller, Hench and Rinker of the
Reformed, and Revs. Baird and Bowers of the Lutheran
Church. Dr. Santee preached from the words, "For
me to live is Christ, to die is gain,'' a sermon eminently
appropriate, replete with comfort and consolation ; and
Dr. Staley read the preceding biographical sketch. The
church was filled with his parishioners, neighbors and
friends, among whom there was a considerable number
from the charges he formerly served.
Brother Shuford was an earnest and good man, a
respectable scholar, and an able and eloquent preacher.
As a pastor he was affectionate, faithful and efficient.
In his domestic and social relations he was exception-
ally happy — having many warm friends and ardent ad-
mirers, who will long keep his name in grateful remem-
brance.
REV. JOSIAH J. PENNYPACKER. 207
REV. JOSIAH J. PENNYPACKER.
1835—1884.
Mr. Pennypacker is represented as having been an
excellent Christian brother — a man of good natural en-
dowments and of high literary and theological attain-
ments. His ministerial career was comparatively short;
but, as will appear from the following sketch drawn by
some friendly hand,* it was earnest, judicious, and suc-
cessful. Although he was called away early in life, the
good brother accomplished the work whereunto he was
called. His life was well-spent and abounded in rich
and lasting benedictions to his fellow men. Such a life,
whether long or short, is an honor to its subject and
worthy of all praise.
The Rev. Josiah J. Pennypacker was born in Phila-
delphia, December 13th, 1835. His father, however,
removed to Chester county, Pa., when he was still an
infant, and there he grew up. He came from one of the
oldest and largest families in the State, his paternal an-
cestor having come to America over two hundred years
ago. His numerous lineal descendants, some two or
three thousand of them, celebrated the two hundredth
anniversary of his arrival in this country in the year
1877.
* "Ref. Ch. Mess.," May 14, 1884.
208 FATHERS OF THE EEFORMED CHUKCH.
The deceased, in his youth, enjoyed the pastoral care
of the Rev. J. B. Knipe, now known and honored as
one of our most aged ministers, by whom he was in-
structed, and admitted into the Church by confirmation
in early youth. For his venerable pastor he always
cherished a warm affection, which was fully recipro-
cated. In his letters the aged father was always accus-
tomed to address him as his ^'Dear Son." Throuo^h
his influence his attention was directed to the holy min-
istry, and his sympathies and prayers followed him
throughout life.
After following the profession of teaching for a num-
ber of years, he came to Lancaster in 1859, entered the
preparatory department and graduated from the College
in 1864. He was diligent in his studies, and through-
out his course maintained his position among the best
students of his class. He was humble, respectful, ami-
able and conscientious ; and as one of his teachers, we
never heard of his saying or doing anything inconsistent
with his Christian character or his standing as a stu-
dent. One of his classmates was the late Judge Thatch-
er, of Colorado, whose recent death in the midst of his
rising fame was widely deplored. Whilst he was a stu-
dent he served for a while in the army and in the Sani-
tary Commission.
After completing his theological studies at Mercers-
burg, Pa., Mr. Pennypacker was licensed to preach the
Gospel in the year 1867. His first charge consisted of
several congregations in Armstrong county in this state,
somewhat widely extended and partaking largely of a
missionary character. His labors were successful, and
REV. JOSIAH J. PENNYPACKER. 209
his congregations, after he left them, continued to grow
and prosper. . _
From the year 1872 to 1882, he was Principal of
the Collegiate Institute at Rimersburg, Pa., not far from
his first field of labor. This was an institution under
the care of the Church, intended to impart a specific
Christian education, and to prepare young men for the
college and the Christian ministry. For this position
his accurate scholarship, and his industry and great per-
severance, happily qualified him. But his labors were
arduous, as he did most of his teaching during the week,
and on Sunday usually preached or went about doing
missionary work. Frequently he asked to be relieved
of his duties in the school, so that "he might be able to
devote all his time to the ministry, in which his heart
lay ; especially did this desire increase as the spirit of
missions began to awaken in the Church.
Accordingly he looked around for a mission field,
and, on the 1st of January, 1883, he took charge of a
destitute field of labor in Mercer county, Pa., to which
he was assigned by the Board of Missions. He entered
upon his duties with energy and youthful enthusiasm,
and rejoiced in his freedom to preach the Gospel. His
people responded to his generous efforts to do them
good; Christian order and harmony prevailed among
them ; and he wrote to the Board in cheerful language
in regard to the prospects of his charge.
But by this time his nervous system was in a great
measure unstrung, his physical constitution having
never been very strong ; and in July last he was over-
taken by a severe paralytic stroke, which his physician
14
210 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
thought would prove fatal ; still he recovered in a
measure from its effects, and was again enabled to attend
to some of his pastoral duties. But in February last,
whilst he was making a pastoral visit, he had a second
attack ; even from this he partially rallied, so that on
the day before his death he walked out into the field,
assisted by his eldest son, to breathe the fresh air of
Spring. The day following, however, April 23rd, he
gently fell asleep, with a clear consciousness of his ap-
proaching end, and words of prayer on his lips, in the
forty-ninth year of his age.
The deceased was united in holy matrimony with
Miss Sarah Jane McQinnes, of Lancaster city, in the
year 1866, who, with three sons and two daughters,
survives to mourn his loss and to cherish the record of
his truly Christian life and good example. They have
the sympathy and prayers of his brethren in the ministry,
of his desolate congregations, and of many others, in
this hour of their severe trial.
Brother Pennypacker, when looking around for a
field of usefulness, was attracted by the spiritual wants
of the Reformed people in the western part of the State,
where there was still much missionary ground to culti-
vate. A number of our younger ministers had preced-
ed him, moved by similar motives, and he threw his
lot in with them, labored with thega, and the result was
that the wilderness and the solitary places rejoiced and
began to bloom around them. He did his part in the
missionary work of the Pittsburgh Synod, the fruit of
their labors, and his name will not be forgotten. He
sleeps in the Lord, and though dead, he yet speaketh.
REV. JOSIAH J. PENNYPACKER. 211
By his life, no less than by his words, he gave his tes-
timony to the truth of the Gospel, and this will live.
Dead as to the flesh, he will be quickened in the spirit
by the power of Christ, and when the Redeemer shall ap-
pear with all His saints, then shall he also appear. This
is the bright side, which distinguishes the death and
burial of the righteous from that of other men. One of
our sweetest poets has thus happily described it :
The winds breathe low, the with'ring leaf
Scarce whispers from the tree ;
So gently flows the parting breath
When good men cease to be.
How beautiful on all the hills
The crimson light is shed !
'Tislike the peace the Christian gives
To mourners 'round his bed.
How mildly on the wand' ring cloud
The sunset beam is cast !
'Tis like the mem'ry left behind
When loved ones breathe their last.
But soon the morning's happier light
Its glory shall restore,
And eyelids that were closed in death
Shall wake to close no more.
The deceased was buried at Lancaster, Pa., on Satur-
day afternoon, April 26th, and the funeral services, con-
ducted by the Rev. J. A. Peters, with truly Christian
solemnity, were held in the First Reformed church.
Dr. Thomas G. Apple delivered an appropriate address,
and Dr. Theodore Appel gave a short account of the
life and work of the departed.
The ministerial brethren Fritchey, Gerhard, Dubbs,
Shumaker, Stahr, Kieffer, Neff and Pannebecker were
present on the occasion and most of them took part in
the services, or acted as pall- bearers.
212 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
REV. JOHN B. RUHL.
1821—1884.
Father Ruhl was a good maD and a faithful minister
of Christ. He is mentioned with great respect by those
who knew him as one who gave full proof of his high
calling of God in Christ, laboring in season and out of
season, so that he might finish his course with joy, and
the ministry which he had received of the Lord Jesus.
Mr. Ruhl was born in Hiittengefsess, Department
of Hanau, Grand Duchy of Hesse, Germany, December
14, 1821. When fifteen years of age, in 1836, he left
his native country ; and, in company with his father
and brethren — his mother having died the year before —
he came to this country, during the same year, and settled
in Canton, Stark county, Ohio. Subsequently, in 1843,
he felt himself called to the work of the Christian
ministry, and, yielding to this sense of duty, he entered
upon a course of study preparatory to the sacred office.
In the absence of a Theological Seminary, he applied
to the Rev. Peter Herbruck, D. D., the pastor of that
place, who generously consented to give him the neces-
sary instructions in theology. Two years afterwards,
in 1845, he was examined by a committee of the Co-
lumbiana Classis, and, being found qualified for the work,
REV. JOHN B. RUHL. 213
he was subsequently licensed and ordained as a minister
of the Reformed Church. In 1846 he received a call
from four congregations; located in Trumbull and Ma-
honing counties, Ohio, which he accepted and entered
upon his pastoral duties. Subsequently he served also
the Champion, Can field and Paradise congregations.
These churches lay in a line, running north and south,
and extending thirty-three miles. This charge he served
with acceptance for the space of about seventeen years.
During two years, at a later period, he preached in
Huntington, Indiana. In 1865 he received and ac-
cepted a call from the St. John's congregation in South
West, Elkhart county, Indiana, where he continued for
nine years, and labored successfully, especially at the
beginning of his pastorate. During the next two years
he was stationed in Spencerville, Ohio; and, in 1876,
he took charge of Edgerton Mission, in the same state,
and continued there two years and six months, attend-
ing to the duties of his office.
In consequence of impaired health he now returned
to South West, Indiana, and resided on his small farm.
Although he very much needed rest in order to recover
his health, he yet took charge of the St. John's church
in that place, and preached, during the first year, every
Lord's day, and, during the second year, every other
Sunday. But in spite of the diminished labor, his health
continued to grow worse, his strength gave way ; and,
his increasing infirmities interfering with the discharge
of his pastoral duties, he was compelled to retire from
the work of the ministry and seek rest. He accordingly
moved to Nappanee, Indiana, where he lived in retire-
214 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
ment. During the last four years of his life he did not
serve any pastoral charge, but preached occasionally for
his brethren in the ministry, when his strength permit-
ted him to do so.
About three weeks prior to his decease, he became
seriously ill, and, although his physician held out hopes
of his recovery, he himself felt diflPerently, and turned
his attention heavenward. Meanwhile he bore his suf-
ferings with much patience and cheerful submission to
the will of God. In this spirit of resignation to the
divine will he awaited the end of his weary pilgrimage
and rest from his sufferings in the peaceful abodes of
the " saints in light."
Father Ruhl died in the triumphs of the Christian
faith on Sunday morning. May 11, 1884, at half-past
eleven o'clock, when his spirit was released from its
earthly prison and borne to the general assembly and
Church of the first born in heaven. On the 15th of
May, following, his mortal remains were carried to their
last resting place. It was a touching scene. Both old
and young crowded around the open coffin in front of
the parsonage to cast a last lingering look upon the face
of the sainted father who had so long and so faithfully
preached to them the word of life — the precious Gospel
of the grace of God. He was esteemed and loved by
all, and the citizens of Nappanee showed their apprecia-
tion of the sainted father and his blessed work, by
closing their business places on the day of his funeral,
and by attending in large numbers the services observed
on the solemn occasion, and by accompanying the funeral
cortege to the place of interment — St. John's church in
South West — at the distance of nine miles.
REV. JOHN B RUHL, 215
Brother Zartraan, pastor of the English Reformed
church at Goshen, Ind., preached an appropriate sermon
on Matt. 25 : 21, and an unknown brother, the author of
this sketch, preached on Job 19 : 25.
The following statement will give us some idea of
the life and labors of Father Ruhl. From 1844 to 1879,
he preached 3264 regular sermons, and 342 funeral
discourses — organized 6 congregations — built 6 churches
— baptized 725 infants and 25 adults — confirmed 577 —
married 119 couples — besides attending to the ordinary
and special services incident to the ministerial work —
such as visiting the sick, catechising the young, attend-
ing Sunday schools, and responding to the numerous
other calls which are made upon the ministers of Christ.
Father Ruhl's last sickness was inflammation of the
bowels. He died at the age of 62 years, 4 months and
27 dsiySy leaving behind a distressed widow — his faith-
ful companion, in joy and sorrow, during a period of
forty years — together with a family of six grown up
children, one of whom, Philip, the eldest son, is a faith-
ful minister of the Reformed Church, in whose bosom
he is laboring with great zeal and success, thus con-
tinuing the work of his sainted father.
We have used the above sketch, with some changes
and additions, found in a late number of the Kirehen-
zeitung and republished in the Hausfreund of June 19,
1884 — signed P. W. See also an editorial in the Mes-
senger of June 11, 1884, the materials of which were
furnished by the Rev. L. D. Leberman, who speaks in
the highest terms of the sainted brother. Requiesoat in
pace !
216 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
REV. JESSE B. KNIPE.
1804—1884.
The Rev. Jesse B. Knipe was the son of Frederick
Knipe and Margaret, his wife, both of whom were mem-
bers of the Lutheran Church. He was born near the
present towm of North Wales, in Montgomery county,
Pa.,Septemberl2th, 1804, and baptized June 20th, 1805.
His early life was spent with his parents on the farm,
where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. Grow-
ing up amidst rural scenes, his life and character natur-
ally received the impress of these peculiar surroundings.
He was simple-hearted, pure and unaffected — a child of
nature. His general training, both of heart and mind,
was such as we would naturally look for in one who
grew up under the genial influences of country life and
in the bosom of a Christian family. He was confirmed
as a member of the Reformed Church, April 15th, 1827.
His early education was somewhat defective and incom-
plete, such as the ordinary country schools then afforded.
His theological training Father Knipe received under
the supervision and instruction of the sainted Rev.
George Wack, at one time a prominent minister of the
Reformed Church in that section of country, who was
REV. JESSE B. KNIPE. 217
called home February 17, 1856, aged 79 years, 11 months
and 14 days.
After completing his theogical studies with this truly
excellent and learned man, Father Knipe was licensed
and ordained to the Gospel ministry, September 30th,
1830, at the meeting of the Synod of the United States,
held in the Reformed church at Hagerstown, Md., in
that year. The committee of ordination were the Revs.
Dr. Lewis Mayer, George Wack, A. Helffenstein, Sr.,
and James R. Reily. The sermon was preached by the
Rev. Dr. Mayer.* At the same time a call was pre-
sented to him from the Pikeland congregation, in Ches-
ter county. Pa., which was confirmed, and Mr. Knipe
installed as pastor of the congregation soon afterwards.
This relation continued to exist for fifty years, with an
additional service of about two years as supply.
Father Knipe's first sermon was preached in Boehm's
Reformed church, June 10th, 1827, whilst he was pros-
ecuting his theological studies, as was then customary.
His first sermon at Pikeland was preached on Septem-
ber 10th, of the same year. This congregation was then
served by the Rev. Casper Wack — father of his precep-
tor— at the advanced age of eighty years.
Of the ministerial and pastoral work we have only
partial and somewhat imperfect records. The following
statement gives us some idea of his labors and their suc-
cess. During his early ministry he organized St. PauFs
congregation, in Uwchland township, which he served
regularly and with acceptance for nearly fifty years. He
« Minutes of Synod, i830, pp. 16, 21; also "Ret". Ch. Mess.,"
July 2nd, 1884— obituary by the Rev. G. S. Sorber.
218 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
likewise organized St. Matthew^s congregation, in West
Vincent township, Chester county, Pa., and served it as
pastor, with certain interruptions, for the space of about
thirty years. St. Vincent, also, was served by him as
supply, for about twenty-five years. With this exten-
sive field of labor committed to his care, he had great
responsibilities resting upon him. His duties as a min-
ister of the Gospel he discharged faithfully and to the
best of his ability. Without intermission, in season
and out of season, he preached the Word of life faith-
fully and earnestly to thousands of his fellow-men dur-
ing these stirring years of Christian activity. His ef-
forts to do good were richly blessed. He officiated at
two thousand funerals, solemnized four hundred and
ninety-six marriages. No accurate account of the num-
ber of baptisms and confirmations could be obtained.
This is to be regretted, as from his general activity and
zeal in the work of the Master, there is no doubt but
that the number of those whom he introduced into the
covenant and Church of God by baptism, and of those
whom he confirmed is very great. Many of these his
spiritual children will rise up and call him blessed.
Father Knipe relinquished the pastorate of his first
and only charge with the close of his active ministry,
and only when he felt the weight of years pressing heav-
ily upon him. But even after being released from these
binding duties as a regular pastor, he still continued his
labors of love, aiding as frequently as his strength would
permit, his younger brethren in the ministry. His pub-
lic labors were brought to a close with his ministrations
REV. JESSE B. KNIPE. 219
at St. John's Reformed church, in Phoenixville, Pa.,
Dec. 23rd, 1883.*
In his social life Father Knipe was modest and re-
tired. His natural disposition inclined him to seek the
privacy of home and its pleasures. He was married
September 3rd, 1839, to Miss Mary Mosteller — the ser-
vice being performed by the late Rev. J. F. Berg, D. D.,
then pastor of the Race Street Reformed church, in Phil-
adelphia. They shared together the joys and sorrows of
life for nearly forty years — his companion having been
suddenly called to her spiritual home on high, Novem-
ber 16th, 1878, aged 73 years, 3 months and 3 days.
The stirring and eventful life of Father Knipe himself
ended on Wednesday, June 18th, 1884, when he calmly
fell asleep in Jesus, aged 79 years, 9 months and 6 days.
During the weary months of his last and severe ill-
ness, he bore his sufferings with patience and Christian
fortitude — meekly submitting to the dealings of his hea-
venly Father — pronouncing many a blessing upon his
children in the Gospel. He has gone to his rest — to be
"forever with the Lord,'' and no more appropriate epi-
taph can be placed on his monument than the saying of
our Saviour in regard to the good Nathaniel: "Behold
an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile." His modes-
ty, simplicity, gentleness and freedom from all pride
were characteristic and striking.
The funeral services of the sainted father were held
in the Pikeland Reformed church, on Monday, June
23. At the request of the venerable father, his succes-
* See obituary in "Ref. Cb. Mess.," July 2nd, 1884, ut supra.
220 FATHERS OF THE EEFORMED CHURCH.
sor, the Rev. S. P. Mauger, preached an interesting and
instructive sermon on Heb. 12: 14 — "Follow peace
with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall
see the Lord" — words highly suggestive and beautifully
characteristic of the man and the work of his calling !
Brief addresses were delivered by the Rev. Drs. Klopp
and Van Home, and Rev. H. M. Kieffer. In addition
to the above, the following Reformed ministers were
also present and assisted in the solemnities — Revs. Sech-
ler, Evans, Wettach, Spangler, Johnston, Stoner, But-
ler, Sorber, and the Rev. Dr. Clapp, President of Ca-
tawba College, Newton, N. C. The following minis-
ters of sister Churches were likewise present : Lutheran
— Revs. Weaver, Raby, Hackenburg, Deck and Neff;
Baptist — Revs. Griffith and Irey; Methodist — Rev,
Quimby ; Presbyterian — Rev. W. S. Knipe. The fu-
neral services were largely attended by his former par-
ishioners and other friends who came to show their
appreciation of the sainted father.
The following additional facts in regard to the life
and labors of father Knipe were furnished substantially
by the Rev. S. P. Mauger. In his early ministry he
preached in various school houses in connection with
the congregations composing his regular charge. His
first place of residence was near Lionville, Chester co.,
where he lived about sixteen years. He then bought
a home a short distance north of Chester Springs, where
he spent the remainder of his long and useful life. In
addition to his pastoral work he also taught school occa-
sionally during the early part of his ministry — thus
making himself useful to the young and rising genera-
REV. JESSE B. KNIPE. 221
tion. Father Knipe never had any children of his
own ; but he showed his appreciation of the young men
of his time by aiding many of them in the way already
indicated, and also by furnishing the necessary means
to some who felt themselves called to prepare for the
work of the ministry. Among these were the sainted
Hannabery and Pennypacker, who preceded him to
the eternal world. His kindness to the poor was very
great. The various benevolent operations of the Church
also received his cordial approbation and liberal support,
which his modesty did not suffer him to make known to
the world. He was a man of peace — simple, quiet and
unostentatious in his habits. In his younger days he
was active — quick in his movements. He preached
principally in the English language. In the early part
of his ministry he wrote out his sermons, while his later
efforts were mostly extemporaneous. His last sermon
was on the second coming of Christ.
His remains were placed beside those of his wife —
the faithful companion of his life and labors — awaiting
the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting in
the world to come. " Blessed are the dead which die
in the Lord from henceforth ; yea, saith the Spirit, that
they may rest from their labors ; and their works do
follow them."
222 FATHEES OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
f
REV. LEWIS C. HERMAN.
1813—1884.
The subject of this sketch was the son of the Rev.
Frederick L. Herman, D. D., and his wife Mary Jo-
hanna, whose maiden name was Fiedt. He was born
in Hanover township, Montgomery caunty, Pa., Oct. 3,
1813. In early infancy he was dedicated to God in
holy baptism, and, at a later period, confirmed and thus
received into full communion with the Reformed Church
of which his father was an able, eflScient minister. He
grew up in the paternal mansion and amidst the social
and religious influences which characterized the pastor's
family. His elementary training, as well as his special
preparation for the holy ministry, was received under
the care and supervision of his learned and accomplished
father.
When quite young, he taught a select school in
Maxatawny township, Berks county. Pa.
He was licensed by the " Free Synod" at Reams-
town, Pa., in 1831, and ordained at Shsefferstown, in
1833, when only twenty years of age. At this early
period of life he took charge of Salems Church (Frie-
dens Kirche) in Albany township, Berks county. Pa.,
and served the same for the term of eight years, making
REV. LEWIS C. HERMAN. 223
a journey every four weeks of thirty-five miles — having
his residence at the time with his venerable father in
Montgomery county. After resigning as pastor of this
congregation, he took charge of what 'was called the Hill
Church (Berg Kirche) in the same county, and soon
afterwards connected with it another congregation situ-
ated in the same section of country, about four miles
distant from the former. These two congregations he
served about fifteen years. In the meanwhile, however,
and for a considerable time afterwards, he also served
Pottstown and Boyertown. Finally, after serving his
divine Master about thirty years in the character of a
minister of the blessed Gospel, he retired from the ac-
tive duties of his office, in 1860, in consequence of the
increasing infirmities of age and the general failure of
his health. During the last twenty-four years of his
life he lived in peaceful retirement, preaching as oppor-
tunities presented themselves for his brethren in the
ministry. The closing years of his long life he spent in
the family of his brother, Dr. A. J. Herman, a medical
practitioner residing in Carlisle, Pa.
During his residence in this place he was a regular
attendant on the services of the Reformed Church under
the pastoral care of the Rev. A. H. Kremer, D. D., who
speaks in very high terms of his excellent Christian
spirit, and of his consistent life and conversation. In a
letter received from him after the decease of father
Herman, Dr. Kremer says : ^' During my ministry here
he has been very attentive to our church services, both
morning and evening, on the Sabbath day, and frequent-
ly attended the weekly services also. I never knew
224 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
him to be absent from a communion service; and he
ever manifested a devout and truly Christian spirit."
Father Herman never had a family of his own ;
hence his stay, during the latter part of his life, with his
brother, as well as his continued residence in the pater-
nal mansion in the early period of his life and ministry.
He died at the house of his brother, in Carlisle, Pa.,
July 14th, 1884, aged 70 years, 9 months and 11 days.
He was buried in the Ashland cemetery on the follow-
ing Thursday ; the Rev. Dr. Kremer, assisted by the
Rev. Geo. E. Addams, officiated on the solemn occasion.
We had only a slight personal acquaintance with
the deceased ; but we always regarded him as a man of
an excellent spirit — mild and amiable, humble and de-
vout— a loving, gentle and consistent follower of the
meek and lowly Jesus, and a faithful minister of the
Gospel of the grace of God. He sleeps in the Christ,
awaiting the resurrection of the body, and the life ever-
lasting in the world to come.
REV. JOHN CHARLES HENNEMAN. 225
REV. JOHN CHARLES HENNEMAN.
1815—1884.
The subject of this sketch was a foreigner by birth,
and partly also as to his education, at least in its earlier
stages. The materials for an account of his early life
are very scant, and those that we possess are not very
satisfactory. We follow, in our history, mainly the
obituary notice prepared at the time of his death by the
Rev. J. M. Grether, and published in the different
church papers.* This account needs many corrections
in order to bring it into harmony with the real facts in
the case — especially as regards the time of his licensure
and ordination, and the scene of his early ministry.
The necessary changes in language and the corrections
as to matters of fact will be made as we pass along and
incorporated with our sketch.
The Rev. John C. Henneman, late of Glade, Jack-
son county, Ohio, was the son of Philip Henneman.
He was born on the 4th day of June, A. D. 1815, in
Harhausen, parish of Holzapple, county of Wiesbaden,
in Nassau. In early infancy he was received into the
Church and covenant by holy baptism. In later years
*See "Chris. World," Sep. 25, 1884 ; and "Kef. Ch. Mess."
Oct. 8, 1884.
15
226 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
he was catechised according to the European custom,
and, by the rite of confirmation, received into full com-
munion with the Reformed Church. Subsequently his
religious convictions deepened and he was moved to be-
come a minister of the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ ; on which account he entered the Mission
House at Barmen, Germany, but when a stoppage oc-
curred at the death of Inspector Dr. Richter, he emi-
grated to America, and entered the Theological Semi-
nary of the Reformed Church at Mercersburg, Pa.,
where he completed his studies in 1847 — 48. He was
licensed by the Westmoreland Classis in 1848 (Min. O.
Syn., 1848, p. 14) and ordained by the same Classis in
1849, (Min. O. Syn., 1849, p. 20) having charge at the
time of six congregations in Jefferson and several ad-
joining counties, in western Pennsylvania.
In the meantime Miss Anna Amelia Wilfiug also
came over from Germany to this country and he took
her for his life-companion by marrying her on the 26th
day of September, 1848. They were blessed with four
children, of whom one has already gone before him into
the unseen and eternal world. His labor in the minis-
try, as near as I can ascertain, is as follows : Three
years he preached within the limits of Westmoreland
Classis, in the western part of Pennsylvania ; afterwards
he came to Brown county, Ohio, and preached two years
there. From thence, in 1853, he was called to Colum-
bus, Ohio, and preached four and a half years there.
Afterwards he came to Beaver, Pike county, Ohio, and
preached in a number of widely scattered congregations
in Pike and Jackson counties. The people gave him
REV. JOHN CHARLES HENNEMAN. 227
praise for being punctual and careful to always fill his
appointments. Wind, bad roads, rain and storm he
never feared, and he was greatly beloved and respec-
ted, and showed himself a particular friend of young
people and children, and labored many years with great
success among them while he continued serving these
congregations, up to within the last ten years, when he
did not serve a charge, but often assisted his brethren in
the ministry, and sometimes even preached for them.
He baptized at least 647 souls, as we learn from his
official record, and probably also confirmed nearly that
many. He also married a great many in the course of
his extended ministry, and faithfully visited and com-
forted the sick and the dying. His life was full of
toil, care and labor, not only in connection with the
ministerial office, but also otherwise. By industry and
care, he secured for himself a comfortable home of about
100 acres of land. Here the widow and one son now
remain. Two weeks he was confined to his bed with
inflammation of the abdomen and an accompanying
fever, during which time he perceived that his departure
was nigh. On Friday evening, Sept. 12th he partook
of the holy communion with his family, after which he
assured us he was ready and willing to depart. At one
time they say he looked up towards heaven with a kind
and joyous look, as though to view the place of his fu-
ture destination with joy. Of the writer of these lines
and others he kindly took leave, when visiting him the
last time, on Saturday, after we had prayed together.
He departed in peace early on Sunday morning, Sept.
14th, 1884, aged 69 years, 3 months, and 10 days.
An unusually large number of people came to honor
228 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
him and testify their love and esteem by accompanying
his remains to their last resting place. Rev. Augustus
Toensmeier of Ironton preached from Job 4 : 3 — 4.
" Behold thou hast instructed many, and thou hast
strengthened the weak hands, thy words have upholden
him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the
feeble knees/^ in connection with Heb. 13 : 7. '' Re-
member them who have the rule over you, who have
spoken unto you the Word of God, whose faith follow,
considering the end of their conversation." The writer
spoke from the text selected by the departed — 2nd
Tim. 4 : 7 — 8. " I have fought a good fight, I have
finished my course, I have kept the faith : Henceforth
there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which
the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day,
and not to me only, but unto all them that love His ap-
pearing" The congregation sang a hymn selected also
by the departed, in German, " Ich habe nun den Grund
gefunden;^^ in English we sang '^ I am going home."
His remains were interred in the Reformed cemetery
at Beaver, in Pike county, Ohio, the place of his late
residence.
The following items in reference to the person and
character of the deceased, were kindly furnished by our
friend, the Rev. Frederick Strassner : Brother Henne-
man was of medium size, dark complexion, showing
marks of small-pox from his childhood. He possessed
great endurance, was temperate in his habits, but some-
what nervous : travelled mostly on horseback ; was a
good pulpit orator — possessing a very extensive know-
ledge of the Holy Scriptures. He was a good man and
a faithful minister of the Gospel of the grace of God.
REV. DANIEL ZIMMERMAN 229
REV. DANIEL ZIMMERMAN.
1814—1884.
Father Zimmerman was a nativeof Germany, where
he was born January 30th, 1814. In early life he lost
both his parents, and, as an orphan, was left to take
care of himself as best he could. Unfortunately, too, he
was deprived of the patrimony lo which he was entitled.
This rendered his lot a very hard one, and frequently
put him to great inconvenience. When he had reached
the age of manhood, he was married to Miss Charlotte
Schneider, with whom he lived in peace and harmony
for the space of fifty years. This union was blessed
with nine children, three of whom, together with the
mother, preceded him to the eternal world. They left
six children, twenty-five grandchildren and three great-
grandchildren to mourn their loss.
In the year 1834 Mr. Zimmerman came to this coun-
try in company with his family, and settled in the vicin-
ity of Galion, Ohio. As there was no Reformed church
in Galion at that time, Mr. Zimmerman united with the
Methodist Episcopal Church, in connection with which
he labored for some time as a local preacher. When, at
a later period, the Rev. Dr. Max. Stern commenced his
labors in that place, Mr. Zimmerman returned with his
230 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
family to their mother Church. Under the direction of
Dr. Stern, he became a minister of the Reformed Church
in 1859, having been received from the M. E. Church
by the Tiffin Classis.*
Since his union with the Reformed Church, he has
been a very earnest and successful laborer, especially in
that particular section of Ohio. For many years he
served what is now called the Whetstone charge, together
with a congregation in Morrow county, and also occa-
sionally, especially during vacancies, the congregation in
Bucyrus, and others in the neighborhood, as we learn
from a sketch of his life and ministry prepared by the
Rev. Dr. J. H. Klein, who further says that he may
justly be regarded as one of the Fathers of the Heidel-
berg Classis. With equal zeal and fidelity he likewise
served as Treasurer of the Board of Domestic Missions
of Heidelberg Classis during a period of about ten years,
and for a time, also, as travelling missionary, without
any effort to shirk the hardships incident to his calling.
He acted the part of a faithful and earnest laborer in the
vineyard of the Lord.
During the last seventeen years of his life he resided
with his family in the city of Gallon, and was therefore
obliged, in the prosecution of his ministerial work, to
make long journeys. During the last seven years of his
active life he faithfully served the congregation in Ash-
land, Ohio, at the distance of thirty miles from his place
of residence. By this congregation he was very highly
esteemed and tenderly loved, so that they reluctantly
consented to his retirement from the pastorate of their
* Min. Syn. of Ohio, I860, p. 15.— "Hausfreund," Jan. 1., 1885.
REV. DANIEL ZIMMERMAN. 231
church, and only when his bodily infirmities absolutely
required him to cease from the active duties of the min-
istry.
His faithful companion was called away about a year
prior to his own demise. After her death his health
gradually gave way, and he is said to have freqently re-
marked that he would soon follow her to the spirit world.
He suffered from a complication of diseases. Dizziness
and a troublesome cough, with pain in the chest, consti-
tuted his chief ailment. His gait became very unsteady
and hesitating, and he was seen gradually declining and
thus slowly but surely approaching his end. He, how-
ever, continued to preach up to the close of the month
of August preceding his death, but always with great
difficulty. Brain disease, with a total loss of appetite,
finally supervened, and the man, before so strong and
robust, became day by day more feeble, until his strength
was completely exhausted, and he was finally released
from his suiferings by the gentle hand of death. He
was tenderly cared for by his family — the mother hav-
ing, at an earlier period, been called away to await his
coming in the other world.
Father Zimmerman departed this life at his late res-
idence in Gallon, Ohio, December 10th, 1884, aged 70
years, 10 months and 11 days. His funeral took place
on the 13th of the same month. The E-evs. Dr. J. H.
Klein and J. Winter delivered funeral discourses in Ger-
man, and the Rev. E. D. Miller and a Presbyterian
minister made addresses in the English language. Be-
quiescat in j^ctce.
232 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
REV. HENRY KING.
1802—1885.
Mr. King was born ia Rockingham county, Ya.,
October 23rd, 1802, and died in Baltimore, Ohio, on
Sunday morning, January 25th, 1885, aged 82 years. 3
months and 2 days.
The deceased Father was the son of John King, and
was the youngest member of a family of ten children,
seven sons and three daughters. His mother's maiden
name was Catherine Baum. He was blessed with pious
parents, who early in life consecrated their child to God
in holy baptism. The sacramental rite was administered
by the Rev. Dr. Brown, of the Reformed Church.
After being properly instructed in the doctrines and
duties of religion, he was confirmed by the Rev. George
Weisz, when about fifteen or sixteen years of age. He
was then living on a half-section of land about five
miles north of Somerset, Perry county, Ohio, to which
place his parents moved in the Spring of 1803 ; and he
remained at home and continued to work on the farm
until about 1822. He was then a young man twenty
years of age; and feeling himself called to devote the
remainder of his life to the work of the ministry, he en-
tered upon a course of study, with this end in view, un-
REV. HENRY KING. 233
der the direction of the Rev. George Weisz, of Lancas-
ter, Ohio. He continued under his care and training
for a period of three years. There were certain other
young men who were pursuing a course of study, under
the same instructor, at the same time. ' Their names
were Descombes, Long, Hillegass and Keller. The ad-
vantages for receiving a theological education were by no
means then what they are now, but the young men no
doubt endeavored to prepare themselves as well as they
could for their future life-work.
During the last year of his course of study, he was
engaged in preaching occasionally in certain congrega-
tions near Bremen, Ohio. He was ordained to the office
of the Gospel ministry in the year 1825, and, according
to the best recollection of the deceased, this took place
at a meeting of Synod held in Germantown, Montgom-
ery county, Ohio. He preached his first sermon after
his ordination at the dedication of the St. Peter's church,
in Fairfield county, Ohio, in the year 1825. After this
event he received a call to become the pastor of four
congregations in Pickaway and Ross counties, Ohio.
The names of the congregations were Tarlton, Kinnick-
innick, Adelphi and Dutch Hollow. He accepted of
the call, and served these congregations, though widely
separated, between thirty and forty years, during which
time the membership was largely increased under his
ministry. He entered upon his labors in this, his first
pastoral charge, in the month of May, 1825. On the
13th of December of the same year, he was married to
Magdalena Drum, with whom he lived in holy wedlock
for over fifty-nine years.
234 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
During the time of his pastorate in this first charge,
he organized four congregations, which were afterwards
known by the names of the Jerusalem, Walnut, Ring-
gold and Zion congregations. Three of these places of
worship were located in Pickaway, and the second one
named, in Ross county, of this state. The services were
conducted in the German language, with occasionally an
English sermon. He was at this time regularly engaged
in preaching in eight congregations, from four to eight
miles apart, travelling a distance of over one hundred
miles every four weeks in order to serve all the congre-
gations placed under his care.
In the course of time it was thought necessary that
there should also be preaching regularly in the English
language, and accordingly, the Rev. George Strickland
was chosen as an assistant, and he served the congrega-
tions for a period of about six months in this way, after
which he went to some place in the East and died. The
congregations w^ere afterwards supplied with English
preaching by the Rev. Samuel Jacobs.
The deceased resided at this time in Tarlton, Picka-
way county, Ohio; and, after the conclusion of his labors
as pastor of these congregations, he moved to Somerset,
Perry county, Ohio, and served the congregations of the
Thornville, then known as the Somerset, charge, as a
supply for the period of one year. He then moved to
Baltimore, Ohio, and became the pastor of the Union
charge, consisting of three congregations, and known as
the St. Michael's, St. Jacob's and St. Peter's congrega-
tions, which he continued to serve in both languages for
twelve years. These congregations were constituted a
pastoral charge during the ministry of Father King.
REV. HENRY KING. 235
After his resignation, in consequence of inability to
render the service required in the charge, he moved to
Bremen, Ohio, and preached in the Mt. Zwingli and Je-
rusalem congregations as a supply for some time, and
then moved to Stoutsville, and was engaged in serving
the Stoutsville and Ringgold congregations for about
one year. He then returned to Baltimore, where he
continued to live until the end of his days and of his la-
bors on earth.
During the latter period of his life much of his time
was spent in canvassing for the sale of family Bibles and
other religious books. He was successful in disposing
of a large number of books in Fairfield and the adjoin-
ing counties. He found many old and fast friends
wherever he went, who were always willing to encour-
age him in selling such books, and thereby aid him in
securing a livelihood.
It was while thus engaged in the month of July, 1884,
that he received an injury which occasioned him much
suffering, and from which he never fully recovered. One
day, when in the act of getting into his buggy, at the
house of a certain family living in the vicinity of the
St. Jacob's congregation, his foot slipped, and he fell
against the side of his buggy ; he ever afterwards suf-
fered more or less from the nijury occasioned by the fall.
During the last few weeks of his life he was indeed
a great sufferer. His trust, however, was continually in
the Lord. He knew in whom he believed, and was well
persuaded that He who died for him, would give him
the victory over death and the grave. The hour for his
departure came early on Sunday morning, January 25th,
236 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
1886, and we confidently believe that he is now enjoying
the sweet rest of heaven, fur which he so earnestly longed.
The deceased was the father of ten children, three
sons and seven daughters, all of whom are still living,
save one son, who preceded him to the eternal world
nearly thirty years ago. There were also born unto him
and his aged companion, who is still with us, twenty-
eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
The funeral took place from his late residence at
Baltimore, Ohio, on Wednesday, January 28th. There
was present a large concourse of relatives, friends and
old parishioners of the deceased, who showed by their
attendance and their tears of sympathy the high regard
in which this aged father andservantof Christ was held.
The funeral services were held in the Reformed
church at Basil, Ohio. The following ministers were
present and took part in the services: Revs. A. Henry,
James Heffly, A. Casselman, G. W. H. Smith, of Lan-
caster Classis, and Rev. M. Loucks,- editor of the Chris-
tian World, Dayton, O. Rev. Hall, of the M. E. Church,
and Rev. Reinhold, of the Evangelical Church, were
also present and took part in the services.
The obituary was read by the pastor, the Rev. G. H.
Leonard, by whom this sketch is mainly furnished.*
Revs. Henry, Casselman and Loucks made appropriate
remarks. His remains were laid to rest in the beautiful
cemetery located between the two towns of Basil and
Baltimore, at the entering in of the gate. This seems a
fitting spot for the resting place of this patriarch of the
* " Christiau VS^orld," February 5th, 1885, and " Ref. Ch.
Mess.," February 11th, 1885.
REV. HENRY KING 237
Church. Thus closed the last sad rites of one whose
character stands out as the greatest legacy he could leave
to those who are left to mourn his death.
Father King appears to have been a good man and
an excellent pastor. He labored faithfully in the vine-
yard of the Lord, and his name and services will be held
in grateful remembrance by those to whom he preached
the blessed Gospel of Christ.
238 FATHEKS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
REV. JOHN G. FRITCHEY.
1802—1885.
It affords us sincere pleasure to record the long and
eventful life of this aged father, whose ministry extended
over a period of fifty-six years or more. He was one
of the first ministers educated and qualified for the sacred
office in the Theological Seminary of the Reformed
Church in this country, then located at Carlisle, Pa. It
is pleasant to know that this first student in our school
of the prophets, approved himself a faithful and earnest
laborer in the vineyard of the Lord, and a dutiful son of
the Reformed Church in this country. A beautiful and
appropriate sketch of his life and labors has been pre-
pared by his intimate friend, the Rev. Dr. E. Y. Gerhart,
which, with very slight changes and additions, we here
give in place of our own. The writer says:*
This aged minister of the Reformed Church was
born of Christian parents, near Harrisburg, Pa., February
7th, 1802. His father, a member of the Roman Cath-
olic Church, was a foreign German, who emigrated to
America in early manhood and located in the vicinity of
Harrisburg, where he was married to a Miss Bucher, a
member of the Reformed Church, and a sister to the fa-
* " Ref. Ch. Mess," March 25th, 1885.
EFV. JOHN G. FRITCHEY. 239
ther of the Rev. John Casper Bucher, D. D., now resid-
ing at Lewisburg, Pa. With the father's approval,
though he himself never became a Protestant, the chil-
dren were brought up in the Reformed faith.
In his nineteenth year, Mr. Fritchey was taught the
doctrines of the Heidelberg Catechism, at the Stone
Church, five miles from Harrisburg, by the Rev. John
Winebrenner, in 1821, then the popular pastor of Salem
Reformed church, in that city, and by him was received
into full membership by the rite of confirmation. At
the instance of his pastor, he entered a classical school at
Sandy Hollow, taught by a Mr. Cummings, a graduate
of the College of New Jersey, Princeton, where he pur-
sued the study of Latin and Greek for two years, pre-
paratory to a course of theological training.
In the Spring of 1825, by invitation of Mr. Wine-
brenner, young Fritchey accompanied his pastor to Car-
lisle to attend the formal opening of the new Theologi-
cal Seminary then and there established by authority of
the Synod at Bedford, Pa., October, 1824. He wit-
nessed the inauguration of the first Professor of Theolo-
gy, the Rev. Lewis Mayer, D. D., and became the first
student of this institution.
Having completed his theological studies, he was, in
18 28,. licensed and ordained as a missionary, his original
intention being to labor in destitute regions of the West;
and with this intent he left his home, travelling toward
the setting sun. Arriving at Chambersburg, he was
dissuaded from his western purpose by the pastor of the
Reformed Church, the Rev. F. A. Rahauser, who direc-
ted him to the large vacant fields of North Carolina.
240 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
Before leavina; home on his important mission, he was
married to Miss M. A. E. Hendel, a granddaughter of
the Rev. Dr. William Hendel, at one time pastor of the
First Reformed church in the city of Lancaster. Ac-
companied by his faithful helpmate, he started for the
field of his future labors ; and after a journey of two
weeks, he reached Lincolnton, in N. C, where he was
received with great rejoicing by many prominent fami-
lies of the Reformed Church that had for a period of
sixteen years been without a pastor. Here Mr. Fritchey
labored for twelve years with unflagging zeal and great
success. At that time there were also a number of Re-
formed churches vacant in South Carolina, situated about
seventy miles from Lincolnton. These he frequently
visited, and ministered to them, until he at length suc-
ceeded in obtaining for these South Carolina churches a
pastor in the person of the Rev. Wm. C. Bennett.
Unwilling to bring up his growing family in the
midst of slavery, he resigned in 1840, and returned to
Pennsylvania. He was successively pastor at Mechan-
icsburg, in Cumberland county, at East Berlin, in Adams
county, and for thirteen years at Taney town, Md. In
each of these pastoral charges he was an active work-
man, gathering together the scattered sheep of the fold,
teaching the Catechism to the young, organizing new
congregations, building new churches, fostering weak en-
terprises, and with singular persistency aiming by all
available means to strengthen the Reformed Church,
and enlarge her borders.
About twenty years ago he removed to Lancaster,
pot to retire from ministerial service, but rather to en-
BEV. JOHN G. FRITCHEY. 241
gage in missioDary activity in Lancaster county. At
once he began to labor in the weaker churches. Under
the direction of Classis, he served successively New Hol-
land, New Providence, Millersville, Elizabethtown,
Maytown, Shoop's Church, and finally the Zwingli Ger-
man church at Harrisburg; not to speak of other places
to which from time to time he ministered as occasion re-
quired. In all these fields he labored as a supply, his plan
being to nurse the churches into life and spiritual strength,
so that they might be able to call and support a pastor. As
soon as he succeeded at one place, he withdrew and entered
another field similarly situated. Thus, by increasing the
membership, developing their liberality, paying off old
debts, erecting new churches, and new parsonages, he suc-
ceeded in transforming missionary fields into self-support-
ing charges, and in locating four or five pastors. His
last work was the Zwingli church. Finding the congre-
gation burdened with a comparatively heavy debt, and
the income insufficient to pay the annual interest, here-
solved to reduce the debt, and, though beyond fourscore,
he persevered in the endeavor, regardless of excessive
heat, until his end was accomplished. The debt was so
far reduced that the property was made safe, and the
congregation was thought able to carry the balance with-
out embarassment.
Father Fitchey was noted for his lively interest in the
the missionary work of the Reformed Church. This spir-
it characterized the man from the day he left the Seminary
until he lay on his death-bed. He often regretted that
he was constrained to leave North Carolina, where in so
many directions there was open a door of usefulness, and
16
242 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
the number of Reformed ministers was so disproportion-
ate to the demand. During the last year or two, he often
remarked to me privately that his concern for the prog-
ress of Christ never abated. He felt as deep an interest
in all the institutions and all the operations of the
Church as he had done when he was able to preach ihreeor
four times on Sunday. When, during the last week of
his life, I sat at his bed-side from day to day, he would
at intervals inquire concerning the success of new mis-
sionary enterprises. ^' I am too weak to talk," he would
say, "you talk to me, and tell me about the Church j
how about that new mission in New York?" On the
last day his son had to read the headings of articles in
the Messenger^ that he might knew what there might be
in it that he wished to have read to him. Two hours
before his death he inquired about the churches in Cal-
ifornia. To one who did not know the man, it might
have seemed that his mind was wandering. But this
action of his mind was none other than the missionary
spirit of his ministerial career asserting itself to the last
hour. This is the more noteworthy, inasmuch as for near-
ly two weeks he was a great suflPerer from extreme disabil-
ity, distressing nausea and intense bodily pains.
Moved by such lively interest in the kingdom of
Christ, Father Fitchey was distinguished for untiring
practical activity ; his chief concern being to labor in
the service of the Church, regardless of ease and quiet,
and indifferent to out-door exposure. Always will-
ing to respond to a call, and never seeking for an ex-
cuse ; he manifested the same readiness to minister to the
destitute at eighty as he had done at fifty.
REV. JOHN G. FRITCHEY. 243
His long and active ministry was to hiai a joy.
Never did he appear to lapse into a state of spiritual
languor or indifference. He at no time intimated that
he had done enough ; that others might now take his
place ; or that he was weary of unceasing toil. Instead,
it seemed to be his spiritual meat and drink to teach
and preach, and minister in spiritual things to any and
all who might need his services. Though I have known
him from my boyhood, though a member of the same
Classis when I was pastor at Gettysburg, and intimate-
ly associated with him for about twenty years at
Lancaster, I have never known him to be depressed.
Disappointed he often felt, and a failure of an enter-
prise, here or there, would give him pain, but the
thought of giving up or relaxing ministerial activity
never entered his mind. Of his personal character I
can speak with freedom. Father Fritchey is to be
honored for his godly simplicity, his sincerity, candor,
and thorough moral honesty. In his make-up there
was not a single crook of duplicity or cunning. His
real purposes were ever in his words. His inner feel-
ings spoke in his manner without a gloss. All that was
in him came to the surface ; sometimes in a blunt way,
or in rather strong phraseology. If he agreed with you
in sentiment, you would soon know it, and you could
rely upon him. If he differed with you, he was not
slow to say so in plain terms. But difference of opinion
did not affect his fraternal sympathy and confidence.
During the controversies that distracted the Church, he
loved the brethren, who commanded his personal confi-
dence unchangeably, whether he could, or could not
share their opinions on the question at issue.
244 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
Of course Father Fritchey also had peculiar faults ;
to these I have not closed ray eyes. But of an aged,
faithful minister of Christ, who has overcome, it is
enough to speak of the good that was in him and the
good he did, especially as none of his shortcomings re-
quire me to erase a line or word of what has been set
down in love.
As regards his missonary zeal, his untiring activity,
his delight in fulfilling his ministry, and his buoyant spirit
under trials and disappointments. Father Fritchey was
a remarkable man ; and his ministerial career honors
the Church which with all his heart he loved.
It is a pleasure to record the fact that a man of so
much devotion to the Master, who, for the long period
of fifty-five years, witnessed a good confession, and de-
parted in the triumphs of the faith which without fal-
tering he preached, was the first student of our Theo-
logical Seminary.
Father Fritchey died at his residence, in Lancaster,
Pa., on Thursday evening, March 12th, aged 83 years,
1 month and 5 days.
The funeral services were held in the First Re-
formed Church, on Monday, the 16th, at 1 o'clock, p. m.
A large audience testified their respect for the memory of
the deceased, among whom were a numl)er of his minis-
terial brethren, and many friends from various direc-
tions, representing the many congregations to which
he administered the sacraments and preached the word.
The remains were taken by rail to Mechanicsburg,
Pa., for interment.
Mr. Fritchey's wife has be^n dead for several years;
REV. JOHN G. FRITCHEY. 245
one of his sous was accidentally killed; the deaths of
his daughters Misses Fanny and Martha are well re-
membered as sad domestic afflictions of later occurrence;
and there survive him two daughters and three sons- —
Mrs. S. Ellen Eberly, wife of Joseph Eberly, of Me-
chanicsburg, Cumberland county, Pa., Mrs. Laura J.
Roth, wife of Dr. A. A. Roth, formerly of Lancaster,
now of Frederick, Md. ; Alfred N., Joseph U. and Ad-
dison H. Fritchey, Esq. Among the deceased's pos-
terity are seventeen grandchildren and seven great-
grandchildren.
246 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
REV. AUSTIN HENRY.
1845—1885.
Some one has said that "the good die first," and the
experience of the world often verifies this saying. Not
unfrequently are we called to follow to the grave the
remains of persons especially distinguished for their
good qualities, who are called away in the morning of
life and amidst the most pleasing prospects of useful-
ness among their fellowmen. Undoubtedly the Lord
hath need of them higher up, and, as the only legiti-
mate disposer of human events, calls them away when
it is best for themselves and for their fellowmen among
whom their lot was cast. It was so in the present in-
stance. The subject of this notice was a young man of
excellent Christian character, high culture, and of much
promise for the future of the Church. His presence
and agency on earth appeared of high importance ; yet
it pleased the Lord to remove him just when both his
natural endowments and his acquired powers of success-
ful labor seemed to be in the greatest requisition, and
gave assurance of the highest degree of usefulness in the
Church and the world. Such, however, are the ways
of God — mysterious and inscrutable to the gaze of the
human eye. He sends laborers into His vineyard, when
REV. AUSTIN HENRY. 247
needed, and removes them again when their work is
finished without consulting our wish or convenience.
Austin Henry was born near West Alexandria,
Preble county, Ohio, August 17th, 1845. He united
with the Church at an early period of life — when only
fourteen years of age — under the ministry of the sainted
Rev. Adam Kendig, who, like his son in the faith, also
died very young. Mr. Henry was early impressed with
a sense of his duty to serve the Lord in the holy min-
istry, as well as in the humbler capacity of a private
member of the Church. This impression grew stronger
with increasing years, until it ripened into a fixed pur-
pose to make the preaching of** Christ and Him crucified"
the work of his life.* With this end in view, he en-
tered Heidelberg College, at Tiffin, Ohio, in the Spring
of 1864, when not quite nineteen years of age. He took
a full classical course, graduating in June, 1870. Dur.
ing his student life no one had more and truer friends
than Austin Henry. Then, as the poet says,
*' He knit to hira
The hearts he opened like a clasped book."
After graduating in the College, he entered the The-
ological Seminary, in which he continued two years.
He was examined and licensed at the meeting of the
Ohio Synod, in May, 1872, at Canton, Ohio. Three
theological students were examined at this Synod, of
whom two are now among the sainted dead, and one still
remains as a sentinel on the watch-tower of Zion.
* "Christian World," April J6, 1885— obituary by the Rev.
M. Loucks.
248 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
Soon after his examination and licensure, he received
and accepted a call from the Kinnickinnick charge
in Ross county, Ohio, entering upon his labors as pas-
tor in October, 1872. Soon after entering the field, a
committee from Lancaster Classis ordained him to the
Gospel ministry and installed him as pastor in charge.
On the 26th of December, 1872, he was married to
Miss E. lone O'Connor, of Tiffin, Ohio.
He continued his pastorate in his first charge through
a period of ten years, and a most fruitful and pleasant
pastorate it was. He became endeared to the people,
and it was with great reluctance that they consented to
his removal from their midst.
He was unanimously elected as pastor of the Win-
chester charge, August 1 9th, 1882, and, in the latter
part of September, 1882, removed with his family to
Canal Winchester, Ohio, the scene of his future labors,
and the place of his closing efforts in behalf of God's
kingdom on earth.
His labors in this charge were quite arduous, and, as
time passed on, his work extended. He was not long
in forming the same attachments here as in bis first
charge. The people soon found in him a pious and de-
voted minister, a true friend, an amiable companion,
and a most sympathetic pastor. In the church and out
of it, the circle of his acquaintance was large and the
attachments strong. He was greatly loved by old and
young. He had a word and a smile for all, and his
hand was readily extended to every member of the hu-
man family. He was in every respect everybody's
friend and favorite.
REV. AUSTIN HENRY. 249
In his work here he was abundantly blessed. His
predecessor, the Rev. S. P. Mauger, had commenced the
erection of a fine new church in the town, which was fin-
ished and dedicated in the Spring of 1883. From that
time on the work seemed to extend with more rapidity
than ever, and now the new church is too small to com-
fortably accommodate the Sunday school and the congre-
gation. Numbers have been added to the various con-
gregations of the charge since his pastorate there, and
scores more were just ready to have his hands laid upon
their heads to be received as members of the Christian
Church, and we trust that his wishes may be carried out
by them in presenting themselves at the next opportun-
ity to be received by his successor in ofiiceinto full com-
munion with the Church. This was his dying prayer
and request. During his pastorate in the Winchester
charge, extending over a period of two and a half years,
he officiated at thirty-one weddings, forty-nine funerals,
and received sixty-two persons into full membership
with the Church, and had fifty-nine baptisms.
During his entire ministerial w^ork, he administered
the sacrament of baptism to 168 persons: received into
full membership with the Church 163; preached 140
funerals and officiated at 114 weddings; and during his
ministerial life he preached about 1500 sermons, besides
lecturing and officiating in some minor services. At the
time of his death he had several catechetical classes,
which he met once every week.
In diiFerent periods of his life he was honored by be-
ing president of Classis, and member of various impor-
tant Boards. Last Fall at the meeting of the Ohio Syn-
od, at Delaware, Ohio, he was chosen president.
250 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
But the busy, useful life must be interrupted. A
veil must be drawn over the work so well done, until the
day when the Great King shall unveil the work of this
artist to the great congregation of the redeemed. It
will then be seen in all its perfection and glory.
Can that man be dead
Whose spiritual influence is upon his kind ?
He lives in glory, and his speaking dust
Has more of life than half its breathing moulds.
What was the closing scene of this eventful life ?
This was just such a scene as Bryant describes when he
says:
•* Death should come
Gently to one of gentle mould like thou,
As light winds, wandering through groves of bloom,
Detach the delicate blossoms from the tree."
When it became apparent that recovery was impos-
sible, this servant of Christ arranged everything like one
preparing to leave home for a season. He fully arranged
for his funeral, distributed his tokens of love, and calm-
ly set his house in order.
Mr. Henry died in great peace and Christian resig-
nation at his late residence at Canal Winchester, Ohio,
April 6th, 1885, aged 39 years, 7 months and 20 days.
His funeral took place on Wedneshay, April 8th, at
Canal Winchester, O. Speaking of his burial, he re-
quested to be buried among his people, saying: '^I know
they love me, and I love them.'' The church was ap-
propriately draped, and there, in solemn stillness, stood
• his empty chair. The church was crowded to its utmost
capacity, and scores left who could not gain admittance.
REV. AUSTIN HENRY. 251
This congregation was largely composed of parishioners,
but there was also a large number of persons from other
churches, for he was loved by all. This again showed
that the death of a minister touches the community on
every side, aud in this instance the community was in
deepest mourning.
The following ministerial brethren were present :
Revs. J. Vogt, D. D., G. H. Leonard, A. Casselman,
F. M. Shultz, L. B. C. Lahr, D. M. Christman, J. Heff-
ley and the writer. Rev. G. W. H. Smith, of Lancas-
ter, was prevented from being present on account of a
funeral in his own charge.
By request of Brother Henry, Rev. J. Heffley con-
ducted the services and made the opening address. He
said if he were to choose a text appropriate to the occa-
sion he could find none that would be better adapted
than Paul's declaration, "God forbid that I should
glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." His
words were very impressive and touching, and it was a
high tribute to the memory of one with whom he was
daily associated for the past two and a half years. Dr.
Vogt, of Delaware, Ohio, also made a very comforting
address on the wise providence of God in affliction.
Rev. L. B. C. Lahr, of Kingston, Ohio, the successor
of Brother Henry in the Kinnickinuick charge, paid a
pleasing tribute of respect to the memory of the depart-
ed, saying, "That in every home in that charge there is
the deepest gloom because of this sad bereavement. He
spoke of the high esteem in which Brother Henry was
held, and that he finds his life and character stamped
upon the life of the community in which he lived."
252 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
Rev. M. Loucks opened with invocation and hymn,
Rev. D. M. Christman read the Scripture lesson, Rev. G.
H. Leonard offered the opening prayer, and Rev. A. Cas-
selman the closing prayer. The choir rendered an ap-
propriate anthem, though their hearts were so stricken
that on this occasion it was a cross to sing. The follow-
ing hymn was sung by request of Brother Henry, and
fully expresses his frame of mind and heart in view of
death.
I will sing you a song of that beautiful land,
The far Siwsiy home of the soul,
Where no storms ever beat on the glittering strand
While the years of eternity roll.
Oh ! that home of the soul in my visions and dreams,
Its bright jasper walls I can see ;
Till I fancy but thinly the vale intervenes
Between the fair city and me.
That unchangeable home is for you and for me,
Where Jesus of Nazareth stands ;
The King of all kingdoms forever is he.
And he holdeth our crowns in his hands.
Oh, how sweet it will be in that beautiful land,
So free from all sorrow and pain ;
With songs on our lips and with harps in our hands
To meet one another again.
After the large congregation of stricken parishioners
and friends took leave of their pastor for the last time
on earth, his remains were laid away in the vault of Un-
ion Grove Cemetery. Thus closed the sad funeral rites
of one who was greatly loved by all.
He leaves a wife, one son, his mother, four brothers
and one sister, with a large circle of friends to mourn his
REV. AUSTIN HENRY. 253
death. He has one brother in the Gospel ministry, Rev.
J. B. Henry, of Dayton, O. All these have the com-
forting assurance as he said to his beloved companion,
"That he is walking along the evergreen shore, and will
be there to meet her and his friends as they cross the
river."*
* See "Christian World," April 16th, 1885.
254 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
REV. DAVID WINTERS, D. D.
1801—1885.
The subject of this sketch belongs to that early and
heroic class of ministers of the Reformed Church in the
great West, who entered upon their labors when the
country was comparatively new and thinly settled —
when the roads were bad, and travelling difficult and
dangerous — when trials and self-denying labors were the
common lot of the servants of Christ. His venerable
father, the Rev. Thomas Winters, was one of the pio-
neers of the Reformed Church in that section of coun-
try which constitutes the state of Ohio and subsequent-
ly became the theatre of his son's long and eventful
life and ministry.
Rev. David Winters, D. D., son of the Rev. Thomas
Winters, and Susannah his wife, a daughter of Rev.
Valentine Flegle, was born at Martinsburgh, Berkeley
county, Virginia (now West Virginia,) on Christmas
eve, December 24th, A. D. 1801. Being a child of
Christian parents, he was consecrated to the Lord by
baptism in infancy, and reared under religious influence
and careful family training.
Within a few years after his birth, the father moved
with his family to Maryland, and subsequently to Penn-
sylvania, making his home somewhere in the neighbor-
255
hood of Bellefoute, in Centre county, where the family
resided a few years. Then his father, who about the
year 1800 had visited the West, moved to Ohio in the
Autumn of 1809, and located for the time being at Bea-
ver, Greene county, having for his residence a " log
cabin." Some time thereafter he settled on land in Mad
Kiver township, Montgomery county, in the vicinity of
Dayton, which was then a small village. In the Fall
of 1815 tbe family removed to Germantown, Ohio, the
father taking charge as pastor of the Reformed congre-
gation there.
The early years of David were spent with his par-
ents at Germantown, where he performed such labors
as are usual for one of his age ; and for several years he
served as a clerk in a store in Cincinnati. Meanwhile
he availed himself of the facilities afforded by the com-
mon schools to secure an education, and made excellent
progress. In early youth, after a course of catechetical
instruction, and professing his faith in Christ, he was
received by confirmation into full communion with the
Reformed church at Germantown, by his father.
Having consecrated himself with full purpose of
heart to the service of God, and taking a deep interest
in the work of the Church, he became early impressed
with the idea of the Gospel ministry, and the claims of
God upon him in this respect. After prayerful con-
sideration, he vowed to become an ambassador for
Christ, and, having yielded to what he believed to be a
call from God, he commenced preparations for the holy
office.*
* " Christian VS^orld," June 25, 1885-obituary by the Rev. I.
H. Reiter, D. D.
256 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
Mr. Winters prosecuted his literary and theological
studies preparatory to the holy ministry under the care
and direction of his father — the Rev. Thomas Winters.
He was a faithful and earnest student, and made com-
mendable progress in the several studies assigned him.
While yet a student under the care of his father, he exer-
cised his gifts in preaching several years at different
points, and, on completing his theological studies, afield
of labor was opened to him from among these mission
points and congregations, namely : Miamisburg ajid
Zion's in Montgomery county, Beaver, Bates, Foulks
and Chambers in Greene county, and Bethel (at first
called Ruber's) in Miami county. Four of these were
organized congregations (Miamisburg, Zion's, Beaver
and Bethel,) and the other three were then mission
points. All of these — seven in number — united in a
petition, including a call from the four organized con-
gregations, asking the Ohio Classis, which was then the
only ecclesiastical organization of the Reformed Church
in the West, to make provision for the examiiiation and
ordination of David Winters as their pastor.
With this petition and call he went to the annual
meeting of the Ohio Classis, which met in New Phila-
delphia, Ohio, June 13, A. D. 1824, and in going
thither he had to travel 200 miles on horseback. As
the Synod of the Reformed Church in the United States
had by resolution, in 1823, reserved to itself the right
to examine and ordain candidates for the ministry, the
Classis, feeling itself aggrieved and embarrassed in its
Church work, officially merged itself into a separate and
independent Synod, known as the Ohio Synod of the
REV. DAVID WINTERS, D. D. 257
Reformed Church, on the 14th day of June, A. D.
1824. On making application based on the aforesaid
petition and call, the Synod granted the request, and he,
together with John Pence and Jacob Descombes, was
referred for examination to a committee, consisting of
Revs. Benjamin Faust, David Shearer, and Henry Son-
nedecker. On the recommendation of this committee,
he, with the other young men, was ordained to the Gos-
pel ministry on the evening of June 16th, A. D. 1824.
The committee of ordination consisted of Revs. George
Weisz, Thomas Winters and Henry Sonnedecker. As
the Synod held its sessions in the Court House, and the
Reformed Church had not at this time a church build-
ing in New Philadelphia, the ordination services also
took place in the Court House. The sermon on the
occasion was preached by the Rev. Thomas Winters
from 1 Tim. 4 : 16.
In October, 1824, he settled in Dayton, the county
seat of Montgomery county, Ohio, and made this his
permanent home, and the centre of his future ministerial
operations, extending his labors in different directions,
and employing his preaching and influence for the ad-
vancement of the cause of Christ and the welfare of the
Church. He succeeded in his work, awakened spiritual
interest among the people, aud effected new organiza-
tions. Among others, he organized the First Reformed
church in Dayton in the Spring or early Summer of
1833, with six members, namely: Abram Artz and his
wife, Valentine Frybarger and his wife, Mrs. Valentine
Winters and Mrs. David Winters. The organization
was effected in the Christian church, where this infant
17
258 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
eoDgregation held its services for one or two years, and
then removed to the Court House, which at that day
was made a reh'gious centre for new and struggling or-
ganizations. Thus matters continued for several years.
The first effort to secure church property was made in
1837, when the lot on Ludlow street, between Second
and Third Streets, on which the present beautiful edi-
fice is located, was purchased for $700, and subsequent-
ly a church edifice erected, and in 1840 dedicated.
Rev. David Winters, as founder and pastor, served
this congregation with success for seventeen years, and
resigned in 1860, in order to limit his labors to the
congregations served by him in the country.
About this time, 1850 or 1851, the notable Mt.
Zion charge, consisting of Zion's, David's, Hawker's
and Mt. Zion congregations, was organized, which he
served as a whole about thirty years, and in part to the
close of his life. This charge was near and dear to his
heart, fondly cherished as an object of interest and love,
with a fervent desire to promote its welfare and pros-
perity, even after realizing the disqualifying effects of
the infirmities of old age. In this charge, which for
many years was regarded the foremost charge in Miami
Classis, he did a good and enduring work.
The several points which he served during his
ministry, and the time his service to them continued,
are about as follows :
Miamisburg from 1^24 to 1833
Zion's " 1824 to 1884
Beaver " 1824 to 1843
Bates " i824tol834
Foulks " 1824 to 1834
KEV. DAVID WINTERS, D. D. 259
Chambers " 1824 to 1826
Bethel *' 1824 to 1840
N.Providence*' i826 to 1834
David's " 1826 to 1879
Dayton " 1833 to 1850
Xenia " 1833 to 1843
Union " 1834 to 1842
Aley's '* 1844 to 1851
Hawker's " 1851 to 1879
Mt. Zion " 1847 to 1885
This gives us some idea of the nature and extent of
his labors. His zeal and energy were truly apostolic and
deserving of the highest praise. He was a man of great
activity, especially in the earlier period of his life and
ministry. He preached frequently, traveled much to
meet his appointments, performed numerous pastoral
duties, sought out new preaching points, and supplied
small flocks which afterwards grew into established con-
gregations. It was not uncommon for him to travel
from 2,000 to 3,000 miles in a year ; and during his
entire ministry he perhaps traveled 150,000 or 160,000
miles. He was also active in promoting the general
enterprises of the Church, with a special reference to her
missionary and educational agencies ; and no one was
more regular and prompt in his attendance at Synod
and Classis, always taking an active part in the pro-
ceedings, and proving himself an efficient worker on
boards and in committees. He frequently preached and
assisted at the ordination of young men, and at the lay-
ing of corner-stones, and at the dedication of churches.
He thus ministered in holy things to three succeeding
generations, officiating at the marriage of many hundred
persons, whose grandparents he had married in his
260 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
youthful ministry, and officiated at more weddings than
any Protestant minister in the United States.
Among the personal and ministerial peculiarities of
Dr. Winters, the following deserves special notice. He
was a man of strong and marked individuality. He was
always and everywhere Dr. Winters. Those who once
saw him never forgot his appearance and bearing. This
peculiarity caused him to be widely known and made him
popular and welcome in the social circle as well as prom-
inent in the pulpit. He was eminently a man of the people.
As a preacher he was efiPective. He had a gift for
public speaking, and in some sense he was a born ora-
tor— but not in the sense of the schools. His oratory
was not of the literary or rhetorical type, though he pos-
sessed the power of rhetorical address ; but it was of a
simple and robust kind, able to move the mind and im-
press the heart. He could gain and hold the attention
of his audience. He had the power of making special
use of circumstances, and of proceeding in a very direct
way to the point he was aiming at. Hence in earlier
years his reputation and fame as a preacher was spread
far and wide throughout the Miami Valley, and every-
body wanted him as a preacher at funerals, as well as to
officiate at weddings. In this way he became more
widely known than perhaps any other man that ever
lived in the Miami Valley. And at Synod and Classis
he always preached, either by the appointment of the
ecclesiastical body or by the request of the people.
The power of his oratory was increased by a full,
clear, musical voice of rare compass and modulation,
and the ability of using it well. To this may be added
REV. DAVID WINTERS, D. D. 261
his somewhat striking appearance, though rather below
medium size of stature.
His preaching was scriptural and practical. He
took a plain, common-sense view of subjects, and the
standard by which he tested all was the Word of God.
He mostly preached extemporaneously, or from brief
notes, well systematized. He was " apt to [teach" in a
great degree. His aptness to teach, his melodious
voice, his popular style, and affectionate manner, all con-
spired to make him a very acceptable and popular
preacher in his best days.
He was peculiarly gifted in prayer and his devotion-
al services evinced the out-pouring of a full and sincere
heart.
As a "pastor, he was faithful and devoted, and he
was generally beloved by his people. He had a good
knowledge of human nature, understood how to treat
and deal with men, and knew in his pastoral visitations
how to adapt himself to persons and circumstances.
Being free and easy in his manners, he readily secured
the confidence, good will, and affections of his members.
His pastoral labors were often toilsome, but greatly
blessed for good. He was a friend of progress in its
true sense. He had a great dislike for what he denom-
inated " wind work." Being himself a man of action,
he had no patience with those who were prominent in
making speeches, and subsequently doing nothing. He
was not found with those who were ever ready to bring
forward new and untried schemes, based on speculative
thought rather than on sound practical wisdom. Though
at times seemingly opposed to progressive ideas and
262 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
plans, it was only in appearance ; for he was a real
friend of progress, as may be shown by reference to the
ecclesiastical history of Ohio.
In the first efforts, in 1837 and 1838, to establish a
Theological Seminary in the West under the supervision
of the Rev. J. G. Biittner, Ph. D., he took part in the
endeavors to start the enterprise and acted on several
committees pertaining thereto. He also manifested
some interest in the school started in 1846 at Lancaster
by the Rev. J. H. Good, and in that begun in the same
year at Columbus, Ohio, by the Rev. Andrew P. Frieze.
In 1847 and 1848, in the efforts to start the West-
ern Missionary^ now the Christian World, being re-
ally the first stage of substantial progress of the Reformed
Church in the. West, he was among the most efficient
friends of the enterprise, not in ^' wind work," but in
true and faithful support. He furnished the largest
list of subscribers, and continued to do so for a number
of years.
In 1848 — 1850, he took an active part in founding
Heidelberg College and the Theological Seminary at
Tiffin, and was for years prominently identified with
these institutions, acting on their boards and aiding in
their support. And in June, 1870, the college, because
of his efficiency and success in the ministry, as well as a
certain order of ability, conferred upon him the degree
of D. D.
As a friend of progress, he was conservative in spirit.
He disliked and avoided extremes. In the contentions
and dissensions of the days of ^' old and new measures,"
be usually assumed something of a medium course, and
REV. DAVID WINTERS, D. D. 263
aimed to secure results tending to reconciliation and
harmony. In this respect he did a good work as Pres-
ident of the Ohio Synod, at its annual meeting at Can-
ton in 1842, where a plan of union between the Eastern
and Western Synods was inaugurated. He was pro-
gressive in idea and spirit, and yet conservative.
He was an eminently practical man. As such he
lived and taught and labored. He was neither verbose
nor " highfalutin" in language, but expressed himself in
simple and well-understood words. He also had the
happy faculty of taking hold of an idea, thought, or
event, and turning it to good practical account.
He was a man of good judgment. His knowledge of
men and things and measures, was of a penetrating and
comprehensive character, and the decision he reached on
any given question indicated a sound judgment. Heat
times was somewhat hesitating in '' making up his mind"
on an intricate or difficult subject, but when once con-
vinced of the right and duty involved, he could always
be relied upon as to the conclusion reached and the side
taken.
He truly loved his Church. He was loyal and strong-
ly attached to the Church of his choice. He stood by
her in adversity as well as prosperity. He had entered
her communion with full purpose of heart, and lived
and labored for her welfare many years. He could well
say with the poet :
I lore thy Church, O God !
Her walls before thee stand,
Dear as the apple of thine eye.
And graven on thy hand.
264 FATHEES OF THE REFORMED CHLiRCH.
For her my tears shall fall :
For her my praj'^ers ascend ;
For her my cries and toils be given,
Till toils and cares shall end.
It is only in this sense and from this point of view,
that we can fully interpret and understand his ministerial
relation and warm attachment to the Mt. Zion charge,
which was, as Jerusalem to David, " above his chief
joy," and which he regarded as a kind of sacred trust
and endeared object of love to the last ; and therefore,
it was almost a death-struggle for him to relinquish his
pastorate thereof. Yea, he loved his church —
" Her sweet communion, solemn vows.
Her hymns of love and praise."
And, as has been seen, he was very successful in his
work, and has left a good record, with an untarnished
character and an honored name. The results of his
ministry of sixty-one years, in statistical form, are as fol-
lows : he preached 8,000 sermons, and had baptisms, 3-
000; confirmations, 2,400; communed, 22,150; mar-
riages, 5,090, and funerals, 1,300,
Such is the historical record of his ministry; but it
does not present in full detail its laborious toils, its many
privations, its severe conflicts, its inner life and its great
achievements. These will not be known until revealed
at the Day of Judgment. His ministry has left a sweet
savor, and will long be held in grateful remembrance.
As to his domestic life, it may be stated that he was
twice married. On the 15th of September, 1822, he was
united in marriage with Miss Anna Maria Recher, daugh-
ter of Peter and Elizabeth Recher, who died December
12th, 1823. Then, on the 11th of January, 1825, he
REV. DAVID WINTERS, D. D. 265
was married to Miss Mary Ann Huffman, of Dayton,
with whom he had nine children — four sons and five
daughters, of whom three daughters preceded the father
to the spirit world. At both marriages his father, the
Rev. Thomas Winters, officiated.
His last illness resulted mainly from the infirmities
of age. He had a strong physical constitution, and pos-
sessed great powers of endurance; but for several years
his strength gradually failed, and since last January he
had done little ministerial work, because of having be-
come much enfeebled. For the last few weeks of his
life on earth he was confined to bed, suffering in body,
but being calm and peaceful in mind. Everything was
done for him that love and friendship could suggest, or
medical skill could devise, but all proved in vain. The
"earthly house of this tabernacle'' was ready for dissolu-
tion, and the time of his departure had come. He gent-
ly fell asleep in Jesus on Saturday, May 9th, 1885,
about nine o'clock in the evening, aged 83 years, 4
months and 15 days, leaving a widow* and six children,
* Since the above was written, his widow, Mrs. Mary A. Win-
ters, who has been more or less feeble for some time, died in the
faith on Monday, June 8, 1885, aged 82 years, 3 months and 5 days.
Her funeral took place from her late residence on Thursday, the
11th, and the occasion was improved with a sermon based on 1
Thess. 4 : 13, 14, by Rev. Geo. W. Williard, D. D., assisted by
Revs. W. A. Hale and Dr. I. H. Reiter. Her remains were laid
to rest beside those of her sainted husband, in Woodland Ceme-
tery. The services at the grave were conducted by Rev. W. A.
Hale. It was only "a little while," one brief month, after hav-
ing shared together the joys and sorrows of married life for six-
ty years, that they were separated from each other, and now are
again united m the home of the blessed, and are blending their
voices in the melody of heaven. '' Blessed are the dead which
die in the Lord."
266 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
with a multitude of spiritual sons and daughters, and
many friends to mourn their loss. Having fought the
good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith, he
now rests in peace.
" The good man dies, indeed, but leaves behind
The strong, sweet savor of a holy life ;
His earnest faith, and love, and labor find
A mellow soil with vital forces rife;
Where onward, even to the latest hour,
They live to work in secret, silent power."
His funeral took place on the following Tuesday af-
ternoon, May 12th, from the First Reformed church, of
which he was the founder and pastor for seventeen years.
A large number of people were present. In view of his
extensive personal acquaintance, his numerous friends
and many of his former parishioners came from far and
near to pay their last tribute of respect to him in whom
they recognized the venerable pioneer preacher, pastor,
friend and citizen.
The services at the house, consisting of the reading
of the ninetieth Psalm and prayer, were conducted by
the Rev. Geo. W. Williard, D. D. Then the remains,
which rested in a beautiful cloth covered casket, silver
mounted, with some floral decorations, were conveyed to
the First Reformed church.
The services at the church were introduced by an ap-
propriate voluntary by the choir. Rev. J. H. Mont-
gomery, pastor of the Third Street Presbyterian church,
read portions of the fifteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians,
and of the twenty-first chapter of Revelations, and of-
fered prayer. This was followed by the hymn, " I would
not live alway, I ask not to stay," long a favorite with
RKV. DAVID WINTERS, D. D. 267
the deceased, and impressively rendered by the choir.
The sermon, by request of the family, was preached
by the Rev. I. H. Reiter, D. D., founded on Psalm 91 :
16, and Hebrews 10 : 34 — 37 inclusive. Thereupon the
choir sang "Sweet By-and-By," another favorite hymn
of the deceased. In a brief closing address, Rev. W. A.
Hale paid a fitting tribute to the memory of Dr. Winters.
The remains, after being viewed by the immense
congregation, numbering perhaps 2,000 people, were
conveyed to a lovely spot in Woodland Cemetery,
and there laid to rest, awaiting the coming of the Lord
unto the resurrection of life and immortality. The ser-
vices at the grave were conducted by Rev. W. A. Hale,
and the benediction pronounced by Rev. Prentiss de
Veuve, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Day-
ton.
The following ministers acted as pall bearers: Revs.
G. W. Williard, D. D., Wm. Herr, of M. E. Church,
H. M. Herman, D. D., S. B. Yockey, W. H. Fenne-
mau, J. B. Henry, Dr. Hughes, and M. Loucks. The
Ministerial Association of Dayton attended in a body,
including a large number of ministers.
The following ministerial brethren of the Reformed
Church were present: Revs. I. H. Reiter, D. D., H. M.
Herman, D. D., G. W. Williard, D. D., S. B. Yockey,
A. E. Baichly, J. C. Beade, J. Stuck, D. R. Taylor, W.
H. Shults, W. H. Fenneman, E. R. Williard, S. F.
Hershey, Ph. D., O. J. Accola, J. B. Henry and M.
Loucks. Revs. T. H. Winters, of Xenia, and R. Good,
of Tiffin, Ohio, and Dr. E. Herbruck, were among the
friends of the deceased.
268 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
The death of Dr. Winters demands solemn thought,
renewed consecration and grateful remembrance. He
was the last of the thirteen ministers, who, in 1824, com-
posed the Ohio Synod, of which he was president at sev-
en different times.* He was also a charter member of
Miami Classis, which was organized in 1842. Moreov-
er, his life was most intimately connected and interwoven
with the rise and progress of the Reformed Church in
the Miami Valley, and in a great measure \vith the en-
tire West; for he was one of the pioneer ministers, and
a man of prominence, popularity and general influence.
God blessed him with long life and made him the hon-
ored instrument of doing a noble part in founding and
upbuilding the Reformed Church in the West. As such
his death forms a kind of epoch in her history. The
past has reached a matured culmination and completion,
and the future, in its general outlook, has much to in-
spire and encourage to continued effort. While we,
therefore, cherish his memory and honor his work, let
us all be faithful to our trust and diligent in duty, that,
knowing our labor in the Lord is not in vain, we may
also at last attain the blessedness of eternal life through
Jesus Christ, our Saviour.f
* The names ol these thirteen ministers, including the three
young men ordained at that meeting, who composed the Ohio
Synod in '824, are as follows: John Peter Mahnenschmidt,
George Weiaz, Thomas Winters, Benjamin Faust, Henry Son-
uedecker, Jacob Larose, Daniel Rahauser, David Shearer, Si-
mon Riegel, William Reiter, David Winters, John Pence and
Jacob Descombes.
t Obituary by the Rev. I. H. Reiter, D. D., which we have
freely' used in the preparation of this sketch. See "Christian
World," as above; also " Ref. Ch. Mess.," July, 1885.
REV. JOHN ErCHIX. 269
REV. JOHN EICHIX.
1821—1885.
This brother was a foreigner by birth — a native of
Baden, in Germany, where he was born December 15th,
1821. Of his early life in the Fatherland — of his edu-
cational advantages — of his union with the Church, and
of his special preparation for the office of the ministry,
we know nothing. He came to this country while yet
young; but of the exact date of his coming we are not
informed. He was pious and God-fearing, and early
devoted himself to the work of Christian beneficence.
The first notice we have of him, as a laborer in the vine-
yard of the Lord, is about the middle of this century,
when we find him engaged as a colporteur, in the employ
©f the American Tract Society, in Canada, where he la-
bored with much self-denial and apparent success in win-
ning souls for Christ.* In response to a suggestion of
the late Rev. Dr. Max. Stern, he came to Gallon, Ohio,
in order to prepare himself for the Gospel ministry un-
der the direction of his friend, Dr. Stern. In the year
1859 Mr. Eichin, after having sustained a satisfactory
examination, was licensed and ordained by the Tiffin
Classis.
* See Hausfreund, May 2'st, 1885 —Obituary by the Rev.
Peter Joerris.
270 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
His first field of labor was Crestline, whence, after a
brief ministry, he removed to Linton, in the state of In-
diana. He subsequently received a call to the Lanes-
ville charge, in Harrison county, of the same state.
Here he continued to labor earnestly and successfully
for a number of years, offering up his health and strength
in the service of his gracious Lord.
After the failure of his health, he returned again to
Linton, and from this point served for a time the Judea
church, some fourteen miles to the South of his place of
residence. A very urgent call being sent him from his
former charge, he was induced to return once more to
Harrison county, Indiana. After a brief stay here, and
struggling with many difficulties, he left this place and
accepted of a call from Olney, in the state of Illinois.
Here the enfeebled servant of the Lord continued to la-
bor successfully among old and young up to the time of
his decease.
In October of the year preceding his death he had
the pleasure of celebrating the twenty-fifth year of his
ministry. Brother Eichin, we are assured, enjoyed the
cordial love and esteem of his parishioners, who were
greatly affected by his departure to the unseen and eter-
nal world. This love for him showed itself in its full
power during the period of his illness preceding his death.
His decease seems to have been quite sudden and un-
expected. He continued his labors until within a short
time of his death. On Sunday morning, March 8th,
1885, Brother Eichin preached on St. John 3 : 14 — 15 ;
then visited a sick member of the church, and again
preached very impressively in the evening on Galatians
REV. JOHN EICHIN. 271
6: 14 — 16. Weary and exhausted, he retired for the
night ; but his weakness and pains during the night per-
mitted him to enjoy but little rest. Next morning he
was quite ill, and the report went out that he was dying.
This, however, was a mistake. Still the good man was
quite ill and gradually approached his end. Brother
Eichin, as was perhaps natural in his circumstances,
longed sincerely for his home on high. His earnest
wish was to depart and be with Christ, which he felt
would be far better for him than to remain in this world
of sin and sorrow. But he submitted this matter of his
departure, as well as all other things, to the good- will
and pleasure of his divine Lord. His physical debility
and pains in the chest, occasioned him much suffering.
In these hours of darkness he recognized the hand of God
who in this way prepares His servants for the blessed-
ness '^ among the saints in light."
As our good brother was so graciously conducted by
the Lord, he delighted much in speaking of the free grace
of God in Christ Jesus, and in magnifying that grace.
He would frequently speak of God's goodness to him,
and thus give expression to his gratitude. He was also
noted for his humility and his readiness to esteem others
better than himself.
Mr. Eichin departed this life, after much suffering,
April 12th, 1885, aged 63 years, 3 months and 28 days.
On Monday, the 13th of April, his remains were brought
to Linton, Indiana, where, on the following day, they
were deposited beside those of his wife, who had died
some twelve or thirteen years prior to his own decease.
Appropriate religious services were held both at the
272 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
house and in connection with the burial, where the pas-
tor loci — the Rev. Julius Grauel — spoke words of cheer
to the disconsolate children of the departed one, in whose
death they lost the care of a kind and faithful parent.
May his good example and earnest endeavors to bring
thetn up in the fear of the Lord, prove to them and to
all the members of his flock a lasting blessing — " a sa-
vor of life unto life."
EEV. ISAAC G. BROWN. 273
REV. ISAAC G. BROWN.
1828—1885.
The life of Mr. BrowQ was beautiful, earnest, calm,
yet active, stirring and full of good deeds. His consti-
tution was strong, his general health good, and his labors
in the kingdom of God unremitting. His death, occur-
ring in the vigor of manhood and in the midst of great
usefulness, giving promise of still greater efficiency and
more extensive usefulness in the future, was unexpected
to his many and ardent friends. The Rev. D. B. Shuey,
in communicating his decease, says: It will no doubt be
a surprise to our brethren in the East, to hear of the
death of our faithful missionary at Wichita. It was no
less a surprise to us in Kansas, although we knew that he
was ailing, but thought it nothing serious. He was not
very strong when he came to Kansas, and here undertook
the difficult task of building up the Reformed Church on
the frontiers. His health seemed to be better during
the first year of his labors, for the change of climate was
in his favor. But his zeal in the work and the hard-
ships he endured, soon told on his constitution. Some
mouths previous to his death, he had an attack of pneu-
monia, which gradually prepared the way for his last
illness and departure from this world.*
*-'' Ref. Ch. Mess.," May 20, 1885.— Obituary by the Rev. D.
B. Shuev.
18
274 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
Mr. Brown, the son of William and Magdalen Gets
Brown, was born near Lewisburg, Union county, Pa.,
August 14th, 1828. In early infancy, he was baptized
by the Rev. Yost Henry Fries. Later in life he was
instructed in the doctrines and precepts of our holy re-
ligion, and confirmed by the late Rev. Henry Harbaugh,
D. D., and thus received into full communion with the
Reformed church at Lewisburg. Mr. Brown was the
son of a plain and honest Pennsylvania farmer, and grew
up in the God-created country, amidst the genial, elevat-
ing and ennobling influences of rural life. Having in
early youth received such an education as the country
schools then afforded, he entered at a later period upon
a regular course of classical and scientific study in the
University at Lewisburg. After pursuing his studies
here for some years, he entered Franklin and Marshall
College, at Lancaster, Pa., in 1853 or ^54, and graduated
in the Fall of 1855. He entered the Theological Sem-
inary of the Reformed Church, at Mercersburg, Pa.,
soon after the completion of his literary course, and con-
tinued here for several years.
About the time that he finished his theological stud-
ies, preparatory to the work of the ministry, a call was
given him by the Mercersburg charge, then consisting
of two congregations, Mercersburg and the Little Cove.
Having been licensed by the Classis of Mercersburg,
May 19th, 1857, during its annual sessions at Greencas-
tle. Pa., and his call having been confirmed, he was or-
dained and installed as pastor of the said cliarge, on Sat-
urday, June 20th, 1857, by a comtnittee consisting of
REV. ISAAC G. BROWX 275
the Revs. John Rebaugh, H. W. Super and Dr. Schaff.*
His position here was very trying. Without any attempt
at parade of learning or display of eloquent speech, Mr.
Brown satisfied the varied wants of his hearers by his
plain, solid and earnest sermons. One of the principal
characteristics of his preaching was its great simplicity
and naturalness. He made no effort to represent any
high-wrought feeling or emotion that did not form part
of his daily life. But if Mr. Brown was less emotional
in the pulpit than some other ministers, he was more se-
rious and earnest in his character and bearing when off
the pulpit. His preaching and life were in full harmony,
and this was one of the secrets of his steadily growing
influence among his people. His entire candor and deep
truthfulness won for him the hearts of his people, and
made him successful and beloved among them beyond
expectation, t
In this his first charge, to which the Upton congre-
gation was subsequently added, Mr. Brown continued to
labor with much zeal and fidelity, as well as with great
success for a period of twenty-six years, up to the Spring
of 1883, when he resigned and removed with his family
to Kansas, after a brief season of rest. He commenced
his mission work in Kansas some time in the year 1883,
and continued in the same up to the time of his death.
May 7th, 1885— about two years. His labors here, as
might have been expected, were prosecuted with the same
zeal and fidelity that characterized his ministry in the
* " Ref. Ch. Mess ," May 20, 1885.— Obituary by the Rev. D, B.
Shuey.
t Rev. Dr. T. G. Apple, in *' Ref. Ch. Mess ," June 10, 1885.
276 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
East, and his efforts were not in vain. Success attended
his labors, and the fruits of his brief but earnest minis-
try in this new field constitute his best and most endur-
ing monument.
Brother Shuey, in his obituary notice, remarks that
after his severe attack of pneumonia the doctor advised
him to cease from his labors in Cheney, some twenty-seven
miles west of Wichita, his place of residence, on account
of the necessary exposure in making these long trips.
But as they were building a church in that place, which
required his presence and attention, he felt that it was
impossible for him to comply with the expressed wishes
of his physician. Accordingly as soon as he had some-
what recovered, he continued his labors at Cheney and
Wichita, but his family and friends noticed that his
strength was gradually failing. His last service at
Cheney was on the Sunday before Easter. On Easter
day he had arranged for communion services at Wich-
ita, but was on that morning taken with pain in the
left side or lung, and could not hold the expected ser-
vice. Ever since that time he had been growing weaker,
but was able to be up and about every day. He, how-
ever, had considerable cough, which prevented him from
having good sleep. On Wednesday, May the 6th, he
seemed much better, and the doctor so pronounced him ;
and he seemed to enjoy a quiet sleep that night. He
arose, as usual, on Thursday morning and with some
assistance dressed himself. Soon after 6 o'clock, how-
ever, his breath grew shorter, with an increase of cough,
and he told his family that he thought his end was ap-
proaching.
REV. ISAAC G. BROWN. 277
Very calmly and composedly he gave directions for
his funeral, desiring to be buried in the cemetery, and
to have the writer preach the funeral sermon ; he also
spoke to his wife and to each one of his children, advis-
ing them and blessing each one. He requested that the
Cheney people keep together and finish their commenced
church building. Then he added : " I entered the
ministry for the love of the cause and now I am going
to be with Christ. Tell all my brethren in the Church
to meet me in heaven," and at 8.20 a. m., May 7th,
1885, he peacefully and calmly fell asleep in Jesus,
aged 56 years, 8 months and 24 days. He was con-
scious to the last moment of his life.
His funeral took place on Monday, May the 11th,
at 11 a. m., at his late residence on South Lawrence
avenue, Wichita, Kansas. The attendance was very
large. The writer preached from 2nd Tim. 4: 6-8.
Rev. E. H. Edson, of the Episcopal church, and Rev.
J. D. Hewitt, of the Presbyterian church, also took part
in the service. Rev. H. P. Tandy, of the Cambellite
church, was also present. Bro. Brown had preached in
both the Presbyterian and Episcopal churches during
vacancies of pastors, and had many friends in said
churches.
Mr. Brown was married to Miss Elizabeth M. Loose,
near Springfield, Illinois, May 20, 1862, the Rev. Al-
bert Hale of that place officiating.
Five children were born to them, one dying in in-
fancy. Those living are Mary, Joseph, Paul and Silas.
Of his personal character, life and ministry it is not
necessary to speak here. Many of our younger minis-
278 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
ters became personally acquainted with him and his
work, while in attendance, as students, at the Theologi-
cal Seminary at Mercersburg, Pa.
In Kansas, during the two years of his ministry, he
organized a congregation at Cheney and built a church,
which is now completed and will be dedicated on the
31st of* this month — May, 1885 — at which time Kan-
sas Classis will be in annual session in said church.
Brother Brown was unable to visit Cheney after the
church edifice was completed, and hence did not see it
in its finished state. They have a very flourishing
Sunday school in connection with the church at Cheney,
attended by upwards of ninety scholars. In Wichita,
the place of his residence, brother Brown also organized
a congregation, and had intended by another year to
commence the building of a church there. His early
and unexpected death prevented the execution of this
purpose. His prospects of usefulness were very great.
He traversed his extensive field of labor and made him-
self familiar with the whole territory lying within the
sphere of his operations. He preached frequently, not
only in churches, but also in school houses and other
places which were accessible to him and promised an
opening for usefulness to his fellowmen.
Mr. Brown's private character was faultless. He
was thoughtful, serious, dignified, and exceedingly care-
ful and conscientious as to what he said and did. His
social qualities were good. He ever had a kindly look
and encouraging word for those with whom he came in
contact. He was amiable, tender-hearted, sympathetic
and full of compassion to the poor — ever ready to ex-
EEV. ISAAC G. BROWX. 279
tend a helping hand to the children of sorrow and
want. As a pastor he was devout, earnest and faithful.
"His talents were not brilliant, but solid. What he
knew, he knew thoroughly. In the pursuit of his stud-
ies he was earnest, patient and persistent. He wrote
and preached in a clear style. Though not an attractive
and gifted orator, he was always instructive, clear and
edifying.^^*
We can fully and most cheerfully endorse all that
has been said in praise of our sainted brother. We
knew and served him, as his pastor, in our early min-
istry. As a member of our flock at Lewisburg, we
learned to love him as a most excellent young brother,
and later in life we had no cause for changing our early
impressions of his Christian character. He has gone to
receive his reward and to take his place ^^ among the
saints in light."
•■■ Rev. Dr. Bailsman, obituary in "Hausfreund," May 21, 1885.
280 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
REV. JOHN RUHL.
1821—1885.
Father Ruhl was a European by birth and educa-
tion— being a native of Iba, in the Electorate of Hesse,
Germany, where he was born on the 4th day of May,
A. D. 1821. His father's name was John. He died a
short time before his son was born, and his mother was
called away during his infancy, so that he was left an
orphan at this early period of his life, and thus came to
be brought up under the care and supervision of friends
and relatives. Although bereft of the kindly influence
and attention of parental aflection, he was not neglected.
Growing up in the midst of a community of pious and
earnest Reformed people in the place of his nativity, he
was religiously cared for and educated. Having been
baptized in early infancy, he was subsequently cate-
chised and confirmed, and thus received into full com-
munion with the Reformed Church by the Rev. Father
Schmidt, pastor of Iba, when only thirteen years of
age. In view of his great earnestness in the discharge
of his daily duties, prompted by the Spirit from within,
he early became assistant to his pastor in religious ser-
vices (according to the custom of that country), which
position he held until he left his native land for Amer-
REV. JOHN RUHL. 281
ica. He arrived in this country in 1836, in company
with a number of his village companions, many of
whom he subsequently met again at Frostburg, Md.,
the scene of his closing ministerial activity. Left to his
own resources, on his arrival in the New World, he
found employment for several years in Luzerne county,
Pa. His early impressions and religious feelings, how-
ever, remained with him and grew stronger as he in-
creased in years and personal experience. Becoming
more and more conscious of a special call from on high,
he turned his attention more and more to those higher
and nobler interests which had all along engaged the
thoughts and desires of his heart — the office and work
of the Christian ministry. His mind was now fully
made up to prepare himself for this high calling, and
his wish was to know nothing but Jesus Christ and
Him crucified. His earnest desire was to proclaim to
his fellowmen " the unsearchable riches of Christ," and
thus to bring them to a saving knowledge of the truth.
With this object in view he received instructions in prac-
tical piety, exegesis, and matters pertaining to theology
and the pastoral office, under the care of the Rev. Isaac
Shellhammer. Having removed to the state of Ohio,
he subsequently continued and completed his theologi-
cal studies under the care and supervision of the Rev.
John W. Hamm.*
In 1845, Mr. Ruhl was licensed and ordained by
the Sandusky Classis, and appointed missionary to dif-
ferent points in Medina and Summit counties, Ohio,
* Obituary by the Rev. F. R. Schwedes in " Ref. Ch. Mess.,"
June 17, 1885.
282 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
where, owing to the scattered condition of his several
preaching points, he labored under great difficulties,
though with much success, for about two years ; and
his ministerial successors in that region of country are
now reaping the fair fruits of his early and patient toil.
In the month of March, 1847, he was united in holy
matrimony with his faithful life-companion. Miss Sarah
Hamm, daughter of his late preceptor, the Rev. J. W.
Hamm. From 1847 to 1850 he was pastor of the Re-
formed church at Congress, Wayne county, Ohio. In
1850, he received and accepted a call from Akron, in the
same state, and remained in this field up to 1852. From
1852 to 1856 he was zealously engaged in ministering to
the people of Defiance, Ohio, during which period death
entered his family and removed an only son and a daugh-
ter. From 1856 to 1860 he served the church in Basil,
Fairfield county, Ohio, Of his pastorate in this place
he frequently spoke with great satisfaction, recalling
the assistance of his faithful friend and co-worker, Mr.
Henry Leonard, popularly known as the " Fisherman.^'
In 1860 he returned to Defiance, the scene of his earlier
ministry, where two of his children lay buried. At
this time he was not able to preach, owing to the fail-
ing of his voice. Though his spirit was still willing
and his zeal unabated, he could not continue his labors
in the ministry. But, being unwilling to remain thus
unemployed, he began the study of medicine and be-
came in due time a member of tae Medical Association
of Ohio. While he was unable to serve the people in
his own favorite calling, he made himself useful by re-
lieving their sufferings in a different sphere, at the same
KEV. JOHN RUHL. 283
time preaching as frequently as his strength and defect-
ive voice would admit. In 1869, after the restoration
of his speech, he accepted a call from the Reformed
church at Frostburg, Md., where, by faithful and ener-
getic service during a period of sixteen years, he built
up a flourishing congregation, a fit memorial of his
earnest and energetic labors.
At the commencement of his pastorate in this place,
the congregation consisted of only forty members and a
small Sunday school. On coming here, he introduced
English preaching, the need of which was greatly felt.
During his ministry in this field, he baptized two hun-
dred and fifteen children ; confirmed one hundred and
ninety-four ; added many persons to the congregation,
so that, at the time of his death, the membership num-
bered three hundred. Father Kuhl enjoyed excellent
health until within about two years of his death, when
throat trouble and nervous prostration set in and inter-
fered with his work. He, however, entertained hopes
of his recovery, and designed to take a trip for the ben-
efit of his health ; but still he was not unmindful of
those significant words : " Man proposes, God disposes."
His sufferings continued for a long time, but fortu-
nately he was conscious to the last moment of his life.
During his protracted illness, and especially as his end
was drawing nigh, he would say to his faithful com-
panion : " Hark, those sweet voices, that heavenly mu-
sic V' Heart disease at length supervened, so that his
breathing became at times extremely difiicult. On the
29th of May he rallied once more ; but it was the last
bright flicker of an expiring flame ; for in the afternoon
284 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
of the same day, while he was calmly breathing a prayer
of supplication, it pleased his heavenly Father to re-
move his soul to its eternal rest and reward. He ex-
pired calmly and placidly, in the bosom of his family,
May 29th, 1885, aged 64 years and 25 days. His
death occurred during the sessions of the Somerset Clas-
sis, of which he was an active and esteemed member.
The funeral services, which took place on the 2nd of
June, were pronounced by all those present as the most
solemn and impressive ever witnessed by them. A very
large number of friends and members of the church
assembled at the house of the deceased, and the church
was filled to its utmost capacity. The coffin was beau-
tifully decorated with appropriate floral tributes. The
services were conducted by the members of Somerset
Classis, of which body Father Ruhi had been a mem-
ber for sixteen years. The following was the order of
exercises : At the parsonage — invocation, by the Rev.
Hiram King, the President of Classis ; "Blessed are the
dead,'' by the Englsh choir ; prayer, by the Rev. J. M.
Schick ; in the church — the words of resurrection in the
liturgy, by Rev. King; hymn of condolence, by the
German choir ; Psalm 90th, by the Rev. J. S. Wag-
ner, and responses by members of the Classis ; Scrip-
ture lesson — part of 1 Cor., 15th chapter — by the Rev.
J. M. Evans ; Gernjan prayer, by the Rev. Benjamin
Knepper ; hymn, by the Rev. I. N. Burger ; English
sermon, by the Rev. C. U. Heilman, ou Phil. 1 : 21 —
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain ;" Ger-
man sermon, by the Rev. F. R. Schwedes, on 1 Cor.
13 : 12 — "For now we see through a glass darkly; but
REV. JOHN RUHL. 285
then face to face ;" German hymn by the E-ev. C. H.
Reiter ; prayer by the Rev. C. Gumbert, and the Apos-
tolic benediction by Rev. Evans. The friends were
then invited to view the remains. During this time
music was solemnly rendered by Miss Armstrong and
a select choir. At the grave the Rev. C U. Heilman
officiated ; the German choir sang a resurrection an-
them ; the Rev. H. King pnmounced the Aaronic
benediction ; and " We shall meet again" was suitably
rendered by the English choir. Besides the above
named persons there were present also the pastors resi-
dent at Frostburg, the Rev. Mr. Ferner and many eld-
ers and friends of Somerset Classis. A sorrowing
widow and an only daughter, Mrs. Thomas, with her
family, remain to mourn the departure of Father Ruhl.*
The sainted Father, we are told by one who seems
to have been personally and intimately acquainted with
him, was one of the most humble and unassuming men,
and an earnest worker in his peculiar calling. With
childlike simplicity, viewing the imperfect character of
his endeavors in comparison with the lofty aspirations
of his will, he never duly appreciated the benefits ac-
cruing from his own performance of duty; so that, at
present, not the slightest record is left us concerning his
active and efficient life, except that it is indelibly im-
pressed upon the minds and hearts of his numerous and
appreciative friends. Those who were personally ac-
quainted with him, well know that he was a zealous
and efficient laborer in the vineyard of his Lord and
Master, whom he served with marked fidelity and af-
* Obituary by the Rev. F. R. Schwedes, as above.
286 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
fection to the close of his stirring and eventful life.
During the closing period of his pilgrimage, when his
strength was fast failing, he would literally drag him-
self or have others to carry him to his pulpit, so that he
might unite with the assembly of the faithful in the
services of the sanctuary. Long may his name and
ministry be held in sweet and grateful remembrance by
his devoted parishioners, as well as by the surviving
ministers of the Reformed Church.
REV. JOHN J. BOSSARD, PH. D. 287
REV. JOHN J. BOSSARD, PH. D.
1818—1885.
Dr. Bossard occupied a prominent and responsible
position in the Reformed Church of this country, and
rendered her most valuable services. With the excep-
tion of a few years in the earlier pait of his public life,
he held a professorship in the " Missions-Haus," located
at Sheboygan, Wis., a literary and theological institu-
tion established for the training of young men for the
Gospel ministry. Of this highly useful and successful
institution he was one of the founders and patrons, and
in its service he spent about twenty-five years of his
life in earnest and effective labor, continuing in active
service up to within a few hours of his lamented death.'
John Jacob Bossard was born in the city of Basle,
Switzerland, July 25, 1818. Being the child of Chris-
tian parents, he was consecrated to God in holy baptism,
August 2d, in the same year, and confirmed, after a
course of preliminary instructions in the Heidelberg
Catechism, May 18, 1834, and thus received into full
communion with the Reformed Church of his native
land. Early in life already he experienced the saving
power of the grace of God, and accordingly consecrated
himself in soul and body to the service of the Lord.
288 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
He was not ashamed in this public way to confess his
divine Lord and Master before the world, and so to
bear witness to the power and efficacy of His grace.
In this holy confession of his faith he continued stead-
fast and firm to the end of his earnest and stirring life.
While at home, his parents generously encouraged him
in his noble and self-denying purpose of devoting him-
self to the service of the Lord, and aided him in secur-
ing the necessary preparation for the work of the holy
ministry. After having passed through the schools of
his native place with distinction, he in due time ob-
tained from the University of Basle his diploma as
Doctor of Philosophy and Philology, July 4, 1841, at
the early age of tv»^enty-three years. From this time
onward he devoted himself with grreat zeal and assidu-
ity, as well as signal success, to the study of the ancient
languages ; and, as was to be expected, he became an
eminent classical scholar, thorouglily conversant with a
number of the ancient, as well as the more important of
the modern languages.
In the year 1847, the youthful and ardeut student
and eminent scholar, urged by an inward and irresist-
ible call, emigrated to the New World, in search of a
suitable field of labor and usefulness on this side of the
Atlantic. Soon after his arrival in this country, he
repaired to the classic town of Mercersburg, Pa., where
our Theoloi>;ical Seminary was then located, and there
prosecuted for a time his studies preparatory to the work
of the ministry, paying special attention to the English
language, in order to fit himself the better for the suc-
cessful prosecution of his life-work in this western
REV. JOHN J. BOSSARD, PH. D. 289
world. Daring his stay at the Seminary he also gave
instructions in some branches of study. In the follow-
ing year, May 23, 1848, he was licensed to preach the
Gospel by the Classis of Maryland ; and, on the 5th
day of October, in the same year, he was solemnly or-
dained to the office and work of the ministry by the
same body.
Subsequent to his licensure and ordination, our
youthful theologian visited some of the older ministers
of the Reformed Church in the East, in order to form
their acquaintance and profit by their experience; and
then, in answer to a call from Fort Wayne, Indiana, he
went to the West and located there as pastor, serving
that church earnestly and with commendable success up
to the year 1854, when he received and accepted a call
from the ImmanuePs church in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
For the space of four years the earnest pastor served
this congregation, preaching to them ^' Jesus Christ and
Him crucified." While pastor of the Saron's church,
1856 — 1858, he aided his ministerial brethren in the
establishment of the Mission Institute, in which he af-
terwards labored for a quarter of a century as an honor-
ed and successful teacher. As soon as possible after
the organization of the school. Dr. Bossard was called
to the new institution as its first Professor. In this
responsible position he continued to labor with singular
fidelity, earnestness and devotion, up to the day of his
death, a period of twenty-five years. The Lord greatly
blessed the efforts of his faithful servant and of his as-
sistants in the work of preparing young men for the
Gospel ministry. In every part of the great West are
19
290 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
to be for.nd men who studied in the '' Missions Haus/^
laboring successfully in the vineyard of the Lord, an
honor to their teachers as well as to the Church at
large.
On the 3rd day of May, 1849, Dr. Bossard was
united in marriage with Miss Catharine Sophia Bloe-
ruker. This union was blessed with eight children —
four sons and four daughters — who, together with their
widowed mother, mourn the death of a kind father and
loving husband. All of his daughters are married to
ministers of the Reformed Church.
Dr. Bossard died very suddenly, and with scarcely
an hour's illness, at his late residence in Sheboygan,
Wisconsin, June 1st, 1885, aged 66 years, 10 months
and 27 days. His burial took place on the following
Thursday, June 4th, and was largely attended on the
part of his ministerial brethren and other friends, besides
the teachers and students of the Mission House. Three
different Classes were represented by the presence of cler-
ical brethren. The students of the Institute, of which
Dr. Bossard was a professor at the time of his decease,
turned out in a body. Members of the theological class
acted as pall-bearers. The Rev. J. T. Kluge, Prof.
Kurtz, Dr. Miihlmeier and the Rev. Mr. Martin all took
part in the solemn services. Quite a number of clergy-
men, both of the Reformed Church and of other denom-
inations, were present and bore this public testimony of
their love and esteem for the sainted brotlier. After the
mortal remains of the departed had been laid in the
grave, the vast assembly repaired to the house of God,
where suitable discourses were delivered by Dr. Miihl-
REV. JOHN J. BOSSARD, PH. P. 291
meier and the Rev. C. T. Martin. Both sermons were
listened to with deep interest, and were to be given to
the public in printed form.
Dr. Bossard was highly esteemed by all who knew
him, both as an eminent scholar and successful Christian
minister and teacher, and was frequently chosen by his
brethren in the ministry to represent them on the floor
of Classis and Synod. At the meeting of the General
Synod, in Baltimore, Md., in 1884, he was present as
delegate from his Classis, and took an active part in all
its proceedings. It was the last meeting of the kind
which he ever attended — held just one year before his
lamented death.
Dr. Bossard was eminently qualified for the position
which he occupied as professor in the Mission Institute.
He was a superior classical scholar — an eminent linguist,
thoroughly familiar with the Latin, Greek and Hebrew,
as well as many of the modern languages. He is the
author of an interesting article entitled "^Historical Ob-
servations on the English Language,^' published in the
Mercersburg Review, October number, 1857. His schol-
arship was broad and accurate. With all his attain-
ments, however, he was humble, unpretending and sim-
ple-hearted as a little child. In one word, Dr. Bossard
was a genuine and highly cultured Christian gentleman,
a consistent follower of the meek and lowly Saviour.
His meat and drink it was to do the will of his heavenly
Father and to benefit his fellowman. He labored
incessantly and with marked success up to within a few
hours of his demise, when he undoubtedly received the
reward of a faithful servant from the liund of his exalted
Redeemer.
292 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
The following beautiful elegy was prepared by the
students of the Germam Mission House, on the death of
their beloved teacher — the Rev. Dr. Bossard. The trans-
lation was made by Mr. Jas. F. Chamberlain, of New
York. We insert it here as a fit conclusion of our sketch.
A THRENODY.
Fortli from our midst thou now art gone forever ;
The grave enfolds thee in its cold embrace ;
For bliss eterne — the scope of thine endeavor —
Thy pilgrim-staff is laid aside in peace.
On Jesus' bosom now reclining,
In His eternal glory shining, —
The Teacher's chaplet crowns thy brow,
Resplendent with the heavenly glow.
Thou us, Dear Friend, the wnv to Heaven hast pointed;
With love to God's dear Word our hearts hast filled ;
Hast magnified the Name of the Anointed,
Thine inmost being with His blessings thrilled.
Thy well-sown seed, in garnered fitness,
Thyself in that great day shall witness.
When ransomed souls before the throne
To thee their gratitude shall own.
And many a tear for thee shall still be shed :
To us a teacher thou of truest faith ;
With kindest love thy pupils still hast led.
The truth proclaiming still, unshunning scath.
Then who our poignant grief shall measure;
Ne'er, ne'er can we forget our treasure.
Who standest now before thy Lord —
A star of glory, thy reward.
And in life's greatest strife wert thou victorious ;
Thine e^^e still looking unto Golgotha ;
Still clinging fast to Christ the glorious ;
For our salvation God's appointed way.
In whom the bonds of death were riven.
Thou, too, the final stife hast striven ;
And in the place hy Him prepared,
Eternal blisj^ bv thee is shared.
REV. JOHN J. BOSSAED, PH. D. 293
And resting now, thy painful labor ended ;
Before God's throne thou hear'st the blessed word,
In mingled tones of love with mercy blended;
"Receive, my servant true, thy just reward."
A wedding garment, meet for Heaven,
Shall with the crown to thee be given,
That thou, in conflict with the world,
The victor's banner hast unfurled.
So rest, beloved one, rest— all Peace possessing :
For us below thy latest prayer was breathed ;
Beseeching God, that His abundant blessing
In truth and spirit should for us be wreathed.
Beneath the grave's green mound tho' lying;
Hope, unrepressed, is heavenward flying.
That we, in glad re-union sweet.
Our loved Instructor yet shall meet.*
* "Ref. Ch. Mess," Aug. 12, 1885, and "Miss. Sentinel and
Herald," Sept., 1885.
294 FATHERS OF TPIE REFORMED CHURCH.
KEV. JOHN K. MILLETT.
1836—1885.
This good brother was personally known to us, and
we entertained the highest regard for him, both as a
Christian gentleman and minister of the Gospel. As a
preacher he stood high, owing very largely to his extra-
ordinary care in the preparation of his sermons. His
delivery was easy, pleasant and impressive. Few men
among the younger members of the ministry in the Re-
formed Church, or anywhere else, surpassed him in the
acknowledged ability and effectiveness of his pulpit ef-
forts. His labors v^^ere appreciated by the public gener-
ally, as well as by the people of his own charge.
Brother Millett was born in Berks county. Pa., June
13th, 1836. The exact locality of his birth we do not
know, but it was within the pastoral charge of the Rev.
Father Herman, by whom he was set apart to the
Lord in holy baptism. Early in life he removed to Un-
ion county Pa., where, at the age of eighteen, he was re-
ceived into full communion with the Reformed Church,
in confirmation, by the Rev. Ephraim Kieffer, at Mifflin-
burg, in 1854, after having been duly instructed in the
doctrines and precepts of our holy religion, as taught in
the Heidelberg Catechism. And now, having by a pub-
REV. JOHN K. MILLETT. • 295
lie profession of his faith, consecrated himself to the
Lord, he l)egan to realize the claims of God on him; and,
led by the Spirit through the influence of his pastor, he
began a course of preparation for the holy ministry.
Owing to circumstances over which he had no control,
a complete collegiate and seminary course of study was
denied him ; but being a diligent student and bending
all his energies to the work of preparation, he rapidly
acquired an extensive fund of literary, historic and sci-
entific knowledge; later on he read theology proper un-
der the direction of the Rev. C. Z. Weiser, D. D., then
at Selinsgrove, Pa. During this time he was battling
with the stern realities of life as they confronted him,
and while often bewailing the want of better advantages,
this very thing served to make him a strong, vigorous,
self-reliant laborer in the vineyard of the Lord.
On the 5th day of July, 1859, he was united in mar-
riage to Miss E. E. Gutelius, by Rev. C. Z. Weiser, at
Selinsgrove, Pa. This union was blessed with five chil-
dren ; one little son, when a year old, died; the other
son and three daughters so unexpectedly called upon to
mourn the loss of a kind father, when scarcely recovered
from the grief of losing their mother, who died on Feb-
ruary 25th, 1885, are well nigh prostrated with sorrow.*
In the year 1860 West Susquehanna Classis, after
due examination, licensed Brother Millett to preach the
Gospel. After serving Middleburg and Ray's church
for over a year, as supply, he received a call to the Nit-
tany charge. Centre county, Pa., and was solemnly or-
* Obituary by the Rev. T. J. Hacker, in " Ref. Ch. Mess.,"
Sep. 30th, 1885.
296 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
dained to the office of the ministry at Jacksonville, Pa.,
November 15th, 1861, by Revs. Wm. H. Groh and D.
G. Klein. Deeply impressed with the solemn responsi-
bility of the sacred office, he at once addressed himself
to the work of the ministry, not only with earnestness
and zeal, but with singular evidence of adaptability.
Having served the Nittany charge about twelve years
with marked success, he was induced to resign his pas-
torate, and to remove to East Susquehanna Classis, hav-
ing accepted a call from the Paradise charge. Here he
labored for nearly twelve years with characteristic ener-
gy and zeal up to the time of his death. Brother Mil-
lett had peculiar gifts for the ministry, and those who
came into living contact with him, know that they were
all consecrated to the service of the Master. A man of
sterling qualities and unimpeachable Christian charac-
ter, his personality was stamped upon his every work ;
of a cheerful, contented and happy disposition, he
would soon surmount a deep sorrow or perplexing an-
noyance. Socially he had the ready tact, the winning
smile, the warm sympathy and heart power to draw all
men to himself.
Brother Millett was held in high esteem by his breth-
ren in the ministry, and his power was felt in the coun-
cils of the Church ; nine times he was elected to repre-
sent the Classis on the floor of Synod, and twice before
the General Synod. Of the fruits of his ministry some
idea may be formed when we state that he baptized over
five hundred and confirmed nearly four hundred per-
sons. Beloved by his people, respected and honored by
the Church and the community: suddenly in the prime
REV. JOHN K. MILLETT. 297
of life and a career of usefulness for the Church, he was
stricken down. A correct account of the sad accident
which terminated his earthly career, we cull from the
Milton Economist. "On Wednesday afternoon, Sep-
tember 9th, Rev. J. K. Millett left his home, the par-
sonage at McEwensville, accompanied by Miss Maggie
Gulp, a friend of the family, for a fishing trip to the
river. They drove to Watsontown, put up the horse,
and at a point of the river known as Port May, they
took a small boat, rowed out to the middle of the river,
which is very wide there, the place where he had often
fished. Before anchoring the boat he handed his watch
to Miss Gulp, which was his usual custom, no matter
who accompanied him. He had a valuable watch, and
experience had taught him that articles were easily
dropped from his pockets while fishing. When he
dropped the anchor, the chain attaching it to the boat
was too short to reach bottom, which caused the boat to
slip and commence filling with water. Rev. Millett
commenced bailing it out to save it from sinking. In
doing so he was evidently excited and lost his balance,
the boat upset and they were both thrown into twelve
feet of water. After sinking and struggling in the wa-
ter they both rose to the surface, when the lady took hold
of the boat after having sunk twice. Rev. Millett coolly
commanded her to hold on to the boat while he would
swim to the shore, a distance of about three hundred
yards, assuring her if she would hold fast she would be
saved. He called to her twice to hold on, as he struck
out for the shore, battling with the mad waves, swim-
ming for life. Two men in a boat near at hand went to
298 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
the rescue of Miss Gulp, picked her up, and in pulling
for the shore passed the strugpjling man, landed the girl,
returned for the deceased, who by this time had reached
the shore within thirty feet, but was now so greatly ex-
hausted, that in the excitement of the moment, he sank
to the bottom of the river after those in the boat had
reached out to him a fishing pole to catch hold of.
Twenty-five minutes elapsed before his body was recov-
ered, which lay in only six feet of water. All that med-
ical skill and kind hands could do to resuscitate him
was done, but to no purpose — the vital spark had fled.
He w^as an expert swimmer, but the great distance he
had already covered and the burden of his hip-high rub-
ber boots, which must have filled with water, was more
than he could combat with."*
An intimate personal friend of the deceased remarks
very truly and beautifully: "There are times in the his-
tory of our lives when we can but fold our hands and
seal our lips; times when there is little to be said and
less to be done; times when we feel utterly helpless be-
fore the Lord, This is especially the case when a signal
calamity overtakes us, paralyzing our energies, bewilder-
ing our minds, and crushing our hearts. Such was the
experience of the many warm friends of the deceased
when the sad intelligence came that he was accidentally
drowned in the Susquehanna River. It is not our pur-
pose to furnish the particulars of his death and funeral,
and the statistics of his life and ministry, as this has
been done by another. As an intimate friend of the
* Obituary by the Rev. T. J. Hacker, m"Ref. Ch. Mess.,"
Sep. 30th, 1885. See also " Hausfreund," Sep. 24th, 1885.
REV. JOHN K. MILLETT. 299
tamily, we desire to add a few words ia reference to the
character of the deceased. Our acquaintance commenced
when he entered upon his ministry as pastor of the Par-
adise charge twelve years ago. We saw much of each
other, and our intimacy soon ripened into warm friend-
ship. There seemed to be a peculiar affinity between us,
and many were the pleasant hours which we spent in
each other's society. Indeed to know Brother Millett
was to love him. He had such a great sympathetic na-
ture that he drew all his acquaintances close to his heart.
For six years we were members of the same Classis and
constantly associated. During all this time I cannot re-
member that I ever saw his temper ruffled. Brother
Millett was a man of more than ordinary ability. He
was prominent on the floor of Classis and served on
many important committees. He was probably more of
a preacher than of a pastor ; but that he did not neglect
his people as pastor is evident from the substantial
growth of his charge, as indicated by the interest mani-
fested by his congregations in Church work, by the ac-
cessions which were made to the membership, and by
the liberal contributions for benevolence.^'*
Brother Millett's death occurred September 9th, 1885,
in the mysterious and distressing manner indicated above.
His age was 49 years, 2 months and 26 days.
On Saturday morning, September 12th, 1885, many
relatives, friends and parishioners wended their way to
the Reformed parsonage at McEwensville, where the
body lay in a neat casket, at the head of which loving
* "Ref. Ch. Mess.," September 23rd, 1885, communication by
the Rev. C. S. Gerhard.
300 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
hands had placed floral tributes of exquisite beauty and
suitable design. Revs. W. G. Engle, Geo. P. Hartzel,
C. F. Sontag, F. C. Yost, G. S. Sorber, J. A. Peters, S.
S. Kohler, R. L. Gerhart, W. W. Clouser, D. E. Schoed-
ler, D. H. Leader, A. C. Whitmer, H. K. Binkley, C.
S. Gerhard and T. J. Hacker, of the Reformed Church,
were present to pay a tribute of respect to their deceased
brother, as were also Revs. Staley, Adams and Sch muck-
er, of the Lutheran, Marr, of the Presbyterian, and
Shields, of the M. E. Church.
The following order of services was observed during
the sad obsequies: at the house: — Reading of the 23rd
Psalm by Rev. W. G. Engel, followed by an address by
Rev. J. A. Peters, who directed his remarks mainly to
to giving comfort and consolatien to the bereaved fami-
ly. Prayer was offered by Rev. Marr, of the Presbyter-
ian Church. The funeral cortege was now formed and
a long line of vehicles wended their way slowly to the
Paradise church. Upon arriving there the body was ex-
posed to view, and a large throng with tearful eyes and
sad countenances looked for the last time on the features of
their pastor and friend ; the interment followed in the
beautiful cemetery adjoining the church, where, by the
side of his dear wife, his body was laid to rest, the breth-
ren Yost and Hartzel officiating at the grave. Return-
ing to the church, which was packed to its utmost capac-
ity. Revs. Schoedler, Gerhart and Kohler conducted the
opening services ; Rev. C. S. Gerhard preached a sermon
on Rev. 21 : 4, rich in thought and masterly in its pre-
sentation concerning the triumphs of faith in Christ Je-
sus over the power of death and the grave.
REV. JOHN K. MILLETT. 301
The sermon was followed with an address by Rev.
T. J. Hacker, including an obituary notice, together
with a resume of the cardinal events in the life, charac-
ter and history of the deceased. The closing services
were conducted by Revs. A. C. Whitmer, Staley and W.
W. Clouser.
So we laid him to rest. All honor to the prophet
who went up to heaven in a chariot of fire; but nobler
still his departure, who, as he ascends to glory, leaves
spiritual sons behind him to weep by -the cast-off mantle
of his flesh and cry — " My father, my father, the chari-
ots of Israel and the horsemen thereof."
" A servant of the living God is dead !
His errand hath been well and early done,
And early hath he gone to his reward :
He shall come no more forth, but to his sleep,
Hath silently lain down, and so shall rest."
302 FATHERS OF THE EEFORMED CHURCH.
REV. JOHN TRAUGOTT KLUGE.
1814—1885.
Father Kluge was born in Germany, in 1814, of
Christian parents, and was early coosecrated to God in
holy baptism. After a course of thorough instruction
in the doctrines and precepts of our holy religion, he
was confirmed and admitted as a member ot the Re-
formed Church, in his native land. He was educated
and trained for the Gospel ministry by the " Langen-
burger Missionary Association,^' and sent by them to
Wisconsin, in this country, where he spent the whole
of his ministerial life. When Father Kluge came to
this country, the state of Wisconsin was yet in its in-
fancy, and the few scattered Reformed churches were
mostly small and unimportant. At first the good man
served for some years a weak country charge west of
Manitowoc, and subsequently took charge of the small
mission church in Sheboygan, which, with only a brief
interval or interruption, he served up to the time of his
decease.
Father Kluge was one of the small number of faith-
ful pastors who organized the Sheboygan Classis. In-
timately associated with him in this work, as in many
REV. JOHN TRAUGOTT KLUGE. 303
Other enterprises, was the Rev. Dr. Bossard, lately de-
ceased. Both of them were excellent Christian men
and worthy ministers of the Reformed Church — earnest
and faithful laborers in the vineyard of the Lord, work-
ing side by side with unabated zeal and energy, for a
period of thirty years, in building up the kingdom of
God in that distant and comparatively new section of
our extensive country. They continued to be firm and
staunch friends during life and passed into the unseen
and eternal world within a few months of each other —
united in death as well as in their life and labors.
Father Kluge's ministry extended over a period of
thirty-two years. He was one of the early friends and
founders of the " Mission House/^ and served it faith-
fully as its treasurer up to thetime of his death. In the
bosom of his Church the Mission House — an institution
for the training of ministers — was indeed born, fostered
and most tenderly nursed. What this deserving con-
gregation did, suifered and sacrificed for this school of
the prophets will never be fully known. God only has
a record of its self-denying labors and many alms-deeds.
To many of the students the good pastor proved a genu-
ine friend and a faithful spiritual father. He was ex-
ceedingly kind and tender-hearted, and disposed to sym-
pathize with the poor and destitute among God^s chil-
dren. He was extensively known, esteemed and loved
as one of the "quiet ones of earth^^ — laboring without
noise or ostentation in the sphere which God had chosen
for him.*
*See "Hausfreund," Nov. 5, 1885— Obituary by the Rev.
Dr. Muehlmeier.
304 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
Father Kluge died at his late residence in Sheboy-
gan, Wisconsin, October 20, 1885, aged about 71 years.
In regard to his last hours — his sickness, death and
burial — we copy the following beautiful and appropriate
remarks by his friend and associate, the Rev. Dr.
Muehlmeier, originally published in the Kirchenzeitungy
and subsequently translated by the Rev. Frederick Fox,
and published in the Messenger' of January 20, 1886.
The writer says : Our dear brother retained his bodily
strength and continued to be activ. to a good old age.
He was suddenly overtaken by pleurisy and later by in-
flammation of the bowels. His loved ones and friends
prayed for his recovery ; he himself hoped to the last
for a favorable response to these friendly petitions,
offered for his restoration, but the Lord seemed to say :
" My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your
ways my ways."
Unexpectedly came the message of his demise to those
who had labored and prayed with him. It became evi-
dent on the day of his burial in what a loving circle of
friends this departed servant of God had moved during
the thirty-two years of his activity in the Church.
Thirteen ministers — his ^' companions in the kingdom
and patience of J-'sus Christ'' — together with a large
number of the elders, deacons and members of the dif-
ferent congregations, constituting his pastoral charge,
friends and acquaintances joined the procession and fol-
lowed his remains to the grave. The choir of the Mis-
sion House opened the services in the church with an
andante by brother Kurtz: "Then said Martha unto
Jesus : Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had
REV. JOHN TRAUGOTT KLUGE. 305
not died." After the reading of a portion of Scrip-
ture and prayer, the choir of Zion's church sang a
suitable hymn. Rev. C. T. Martin delivered a funeral
sermon on 1 Peter 4: 9 — 11. Very appropriately and
in a way comforting to the relatives and large assembly
of mourners, he emphasized the blessed hope, that,
when Christians part in death, they part to meet again.
Then followed a discourse on the true character of the
Gospel minister and a biographical sketch of the de-
ceased. In conclusion the choir of the Mission House
chanted the words of Holy Writ : " He also that had
received two talents came and said. Lord, Thou deliver-
edst unto me two talents ; behold, I have gained two
other talents beside them. His Lord said unto him :
Well done, good and faithful servant, thou hast been
faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over
many things : enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
The music for this beautiful piece was specially com-
posed by brother Kurtz. At the grave the choir of
Zion's church sang once more, when the last named
brother spoke, in the words of Holy Writ, of the blessed
resurrection of those who die in the Lord.
Father Kluge seems to have been a general favorite
among his ministerial brethren, as well as among his
faithful and devoted parishioners. He is spoken of in
terms of the highest regard by those who best knew
him. Dr. Muehlmeier, in concluding his notice of the
sainted father, says : " All that the dear departed brother
was to his family, his congregations, to the Mission
House and to all that were intimate with him, the writer
is unable to express in words — this is known to the
20
306 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
Lord alone. May He comfort us, dry our tears and
lift our hearts heavenward. " And I heard a voice
from heaven, saying unto me, write : * Blessed are the
dead which die in the Lord from henceforth : yea, saith
the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors ; and
their works do follow them.' "
REV. JOHN BL.ETGEN. 307
KEV. JOHN BL^TGEN.
1824—1885.
Mr. Blsetgen was born September 15th, 1824, in Alt-
staden, near Muehlheim, on the river Ruhr, in Prussia,
where the pious and God-fearing Tersteegen lived and la-
bored, and where his influence for good is even yet felt,
and continues to work through his writings. He was
the second son of Herman and Anna Blaetgen, both of
whom were warmly attached to the Church, and dili-
gently sought to train their children in the doctrines
and practices of our holy religion, not alone in the ordi-
nary way, but also visited with them the more private
meetinsjs held for prayer and other devotional exercises.
His father was a man of strong character and exceeding-
ly strict in the exercise of domestic discipline, and in
the training of his children. His mother was a woman
of refinement — mild and gentle in her spirit and bear-
ing— of whom her son always spoke in terms of the
highest regard.
Already in his early youth, Mr. Blsetgen experienced
deep and lasting impressions made upon his heart and
mind by the Divine Spirit, so that he had a keen sense
of sin and guilt, and felt that if he should die in that
state he could not be saved. These experiences, how-
308 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
ever, gradually gave way to a feeling of trust in the
pardoning mercy of God, and brought to his heart the
desired peace of God in Christ Jesus. Often and with
evident satisfaction he referred to the happy time spent
in attending upon a course of catechetical instruction,
and his subsequent confirmation and admission to the
Holy Communion. He frequently and feelingly spoke
of the ministers of the place, especially of his late pastor,
the Rev. Ed. Schulz, who for a period of fifty-six years
was stationed at Muehlheim, and in his discourses often
reached and affected his heart. About this time he heard
a sermon from his aged and venerable pastor on Micah
2: 11, which made a deep and abiding impression on
his heart and induced him earnestly to seek after peace
and reconciliation with God, through the Lord Jesus
Christ. It was, however, appointed for him to pass
through a yet more severe conflict, and to experience the
"exceeding sinfulness of sin," before he fully reached
the object of his earnest wishes and persevering prayers.
During this time he associated much with the pious and
more earnest portion of the church, and sought to benefit
by their experience. After several years of conflict, he
found and continued to enjoy the peace which he so ear-
nestly sought when about sixteen years of age. He
found ^'Christ in him the hope of eternal life," and
henceforth longed to have not only occasional glimpses
of his Redeemer, but to possess Christ wholly and per-
manently, as his only and all-sufficient Saviour.
In the year 1848: — a time of great trouble and ex-
tensive revolutionary movements in the political circles
of Germany — he emigrated to this country. He was
not himself involved in these revolutionary struggles,
REV. JOHN BLiETGEX. 309
but still thought it best to leave his native land and seek
a home in this New World. He was induced to take
this step, at least in part, by reading a paper sent out by
the Rev. Mr. Foelke, of Evansville, Indiana, in which a
glowing description was given of America and of the
state of the Christian life as found in this country. He
took up his residence in the vicinity of Evansville, In-
diana, and was for some time in the employ of the
American Tract Society, acting as colporteur. He after-
wards studied for a time at Mercersburg, Pa., and com-
pleted his theological course in the Reformed Seminary
at Tiffin, Ohio. Here in July, 1854, he was licensed to
preach the Gospel by the Classis of Tiffin, and ordained
by the Indiana Classis, November 12th, 1854, in Zion's
Reformed church, Poland, Clay county, Indiana.
He was settled and served as pastor in the vicinity
of Linton, Greene county, Indiana, from 1854 to 1858.
During this his first pastorate, he was united in matri-
mony with Miss Florentine Droege, of Posey countv,
Indiana, October 5th, 1856. They had four children,
of whom two grown daughters survived their father.
The older of the two is married to the Rev. Ed. Scheidt,
of Wisconsin.
From 1858 to 1863, Mr. Blaetgen served several
congregations in the vicinity of Evansville, Indiana.
Then he served from 1863 to 1866, the United Salem
Ebenezer and St. John's Ebenezer congregations, resid-
ing in Newtonburg, Manitowoc county, Wisconsin.
From this place he removed to Mosel, Sheboygan county,
Wisconsin, and remained there until 1867, when for the
second time he was called to Linton, Indiana, and con-
tinued his ministry there up to 1869. Afterwards he
310 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
was for one year in Fredericksburg, Missouri, and then
served the St. John's Ebenezer charge, in Centreville,
Wisconsin, from 1870 to 1880, when he accepted a call
from the Dutch Reformed church, in Forreston, Illinois,
where he continued to labor up to May, 1885, when he
took charge of some Reformed congregations in and
around Menno, in Dakota. His services here, however,
lasted only about seven months, when he was suddenly
and in a very mysterious way called to his eternal re-
ward in heaven, December 4th, 1885, aged 61 years, 2
months and 19 days. The morning of that day was
very stormy; and some injury having been done to his
bee hives, which were near the building, he went out to
repair the damage, when suddenly the chimney of his
house was blown down, falling upon his head and so
seriously wounding him that he was taken into the house
by his daughter Anna and several of the neighbors, in
an unconscious state, and died a few hours later, without
having recovered his consciousness. He expired about
nine o'clock in the morning.
On the 8th of December, 1885, his mortal remains
were reverently laid to their final rest — the funeral tak-
ing place at his late residence in Menno, Dakota Terri-
tory. The Rev. Charles L. Bonekemper made an ad-
dress at the house, based on the account of St. Stephen's
death, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. At the
church, the Rev. Michael HoflPer, for many years a mis-
sionary in India, delivered a funeral discourse based on
St. Luke, 24: 29 — "Abide with us; for it is toward
evening, and the day is far spent." The Rev. Mr.
Bonekemper, who communicates these facts in regard to
Mr. Blatgen's death and burial, speaks of the singularly
REV. JOHN BL^TGEN. 311
beautiful appearance of the corpse, and says: I appeal
to the many witnesses who stood around the open coffin,
whether it cannot be said of him what was said of Stephen,
that " his face was as the face of an angel." The good
man now rests in Jesus, whom he loved and served while
here, and in whose presence he finds his highest bliss.*
Mr. Blaetgen was fortunately blessed with a good
physical constitution, and enjoyed excellent health down
even to the end of his stirring and eventful life. He
was firm, active and cheerful. His motto was : *' What
thou doest, do promptly." He made^ good use of his
time and of his gifts. He was earnest, zealous and
warmly attached to the doctrines and usages of the Re-
formed Church, and had a special love for the writings
of the pious Tersteegen and the theologian Lampe, As
a preacher and pastor he was faithful and active, and
earnastly concerned to bring the souls committed to his
care to a saving knowledge of the truth. He neglected
no opportunity to bring home to his hearers the solemn
teachings of the Bible, and to urge them to accept of
the offers of salvation. He labored faithfully and with-
out intermission to win souls to Christ, and to build
them up in the saving knowledge of God. His only
wish was to be useful in the world, and so to finish his
work and the ministry which he had received of the
Lord Jesus. In these efforts he was not left without
evidences of the divine favor and of his own success.
The fruits of his labors everywhere appeared and bore
testimony to his fidelity and zeal in the Lord.
* For the material of this sketch we are indebted to the Kev.
Ed. Scheidt, a son-in-law of the deceased. See also *' Kirchen-
zeitung," January 12, 1886*
312 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
REV. JOHN GRING.
1801—1885.
The ancestors of the Gring family, from which the
subject of this sketch was descended, are said to have
come, about the middle of the last century, from Scho-
harie, in the state of New York, to Tulpehocken, Berks
county, Pa., with a number of German emigrants, who,
it seems, had located in that section of country on com-
ing to the New World. In their new home in Berks
county, their family continued to reside permanently
and to increase rapidly, so that at present the descen-
dents of the orginal stock are very numerous and well
to do. In was here, on the 15th day of March, 1801,
that Mr. Gring was born, as also his younger brother,
the Rev. Daniel Gring, who departed this life in 1881,
in York county, Pa.
In early infancy. Father Gring was dedicated to the
service of the Triune God, in holy baptism; and, sub-
sequently, after long and careful instruction in the doc-
trines and precepts of our holy religion, he was confirmed
and received as a member of the Reformed Church.
He continued to reside with his parents, for some time,
on the farm and to perform the duties of a farmer's son.
In this filial relation he was diligent and faithful in
REV. JOHN GRING. 313
the discharge of his obligations. He, however, was not
satisfied to spend his life and energies in agricultural
pursuits, and hence sought means to prepare himself for
the Gospel ministry. He studied privately under the
care and tuition of the Rev. J. William Dechant, who,
in his time, trained quite a number of young men for
the sacred office.
In the year 1824, in connection with a number of
other applicants for ordination, he presented himself to
the Synod of the Reformed Church, then assembled in
Bedford, Pa., where he was examined, approved and
recommended for ordination, according to the custom
then prevalent. This action was taken in view of a
call which he held from several congregations in Leba-
non county. Pa., over which he was immediately settled
as pastor, and where he continued to reside to the end
of life — a period of sixty years. His pastoral labors,
however, he was obliged to close some fifteen years prior
to his decease, in consequence of bodily infirmities. His
active ministry extended over a period of about forty-
six years, and was exercised in substantially the same
charge — a very extensive and laborious field. During
his ministry, he served, at different times, the following
congregations, viz : Fredericksburg, in the place of his
residence, Ziegel, Pinegrove, Hazel, Walmer's, SchelFs,
Moonshine, Bindnagle's and Mt. Aetna. Some of these
congregations were, however, part of the time connected
with other pastoral charges, and the venerable Father
served only the church at Fredericksburg up to the time
when he retired from the active duties of the ministry.
Father Gring had not enjoyed the benefit of a regu-
314 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
lar and extended course of theological training. His
knowledge of scientific subjects especially was limited,
and his general preparation for the ministry scant and
imperfect. Still he was not without some good and
substantial qualifications for the work to which he was
called. He had thoroughly studied the Holy Scrip-
tures, and also that excellent exponent of biblical truth
— the Heidelberg Catechism ; and hence he did not
disappoint the expectations of the Church, nor of the
good men who examined him and approved of his lit-
erary and theological preparation. The members of
the committee who conducted the examination, very
considerately say, "that although the young brethren —
Mr. Gring and others — were found to be rather weak
in the language, yet in theology they gave better satis-
faction." They were also carefully examined in regard
to their piety and the motives which led them to enter
upon their preparation for the ministry, and, in this re-
spect, gave excellent satisfaction — the committee ex-
pressing the opinion that they would become useful
ministers of the Church in case they continued to pros-
ecute their studies. The ordination of brother Gring,
in connection with Daniel Hertz, David Hassinger,
Daniel Weiser and Henry Kroh, took place on Thurs-
day evening, Oct. 1st, 1824. The committee of ordina-
tion consisted of the Revs. Dr. William Hendel, L. L.
Hinsch and Albert Helfenstein, Sr. The Rev. Dr.
Samuel Helfenstein, Sr., was appointed to preach the
sermon on the solemn occasion. His text was Eph. 2 :
20—22.*
* Syn. Min., 1824, pp. 52—26, 28—33.
REV. JOHN GRING. 315
As already stated, Mr. Gring was ordained on the
strength of a call from several congregations in Lebanon
county, Pa. In this charge he continued to labor up to
the time of his retirement from the active duties of the
ministry. His residence was in Fredericksburg during
the entire extent of his ministry, and for some time after-
wards.
On the 17th day of October, in the year 1824, Father
Gring entered into holy matrimony with Miss Susanna
Boyer. This union was blessed with four children, two
of whom survived their father. Mrs. Gring preceded
her husband to the eternal world, having died two years
prior to his own decease. After the death of his faith-
ful companion the aged pastor lived with his daughter,
Mrs. Seltzer, in Lebanon, Pa., where he was kindly
cared for and made happy in his declining years.
*' Father Gring, especially in the early part of his
ministry, performed much of his pastoral work on foot,
even crossing the Blue Mountains in order to serve his
congregations in Schuylkill county. Being physically
strong, and having his heart deeply interested in his
work, he labored, as did St. Paul, with his own hands.
In the erection of new churches in his charge he assisted
the workmen in their labors. With his humble but
comfortable home, there was connected a small tract of
land, which he himself cultivated." His life was truly
a laborious one. Much of his time and energy was spent
in traversing the extensive territory over which his pas-
toral labors extended. For the space of nearly half a
316 FATHEKS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
century the veteran servant of God served his faithful
and affectionate people.*
Father Gring died from softening of the brain on
Sunday, December 13th, 1885, aged 84 years, 8 months
and 28 days. The funeral services were held at the
house of his daughter, Mrs. Seltzer, in Lebanon, Pa.,
on the 17th of December. The sermon on the solemn
occasion was preached by the Rev. Dr. F. W. Kremer,
by special request of the deceased, from 2 Tim. 4 : 7 — 8.
The Rev. Tobias Kessler followed with a German dis-
course; and the Rev. Dr. Wolff closed with prayer. The
brethren Dr. J. E. Hiester, Dr. T. S. Johnston and G.
B. Resser were likewise present and took part in the
solemn services. After the conclusion of the services,
the corpse was taken to Fredericksburg cemetery and
placed beside the remains of his faithful companion in
life.
* •' Ref. Ch. Mess.," Dec. 30th, 1885. Obituary by the Rev.
Dr. F. W. Kremer, from which most of the facts of this sketch
were gleaned.
REV. JOHN MECKLY. 317
REV. JOHN MECKLY.
1812—1886.
Mr. Meekly entered the Christian ministry at a com-
paratively late period of life, being at the time of his
ordination about fifty-seven years of age. He was en-
gaged in the active duties of the ministry only twelve
years, extending from 1870 to 1882, when, resigning
the Springfield charge, in Ohio, he retired from the
pastoral work and preached only occasionally as oppor-
tunities presented themselves.
The subject of this sketch was born in the town of
Hanover, York county. Pa., Nov. 2, 1812. He was
the son of a farmer, and followed the same calling for a
number of years. Where he obtained his education we
are not prepared to say; but it is likely that during his
early life he attended the common schools in his native
place, studying onlv the ordinary English branches,
usually taught in these institutions. His subsequent
vocation as a farmer likely left him very little time to
improve his mind and thus secure a more thorough pre-
paration for the important work to which his life was
subsequently devoted. Having reached the age of early
manhood, he was united in the bonds of matrimony to
Miss Elizabeth Sell. They lived happily together, and
318 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
experienced the joys and sorrows of wedded life up to
May 6th, 1884, when she passed quietly away, leaving
him alone to bear the burdens of old age. Their union
was blessed with eight children, of whom only three
survived their parents — namely one son, Jeremiah, and
two daughters, Mrs. Sarah Pflug and Mrs. Alice Mc-
Curly.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Meekly were for many years
members of the Church of Christ. Early in life they
had joined the United Brethren, in whose communion
they remained — he at least — up to the time when they
entered the Reformed Church. Early in life his faith
and piety led him to engage in the work of a local
preacher, and he appears to have discharged the duties
of his office faithfully, and to have retained the confi-
dence of the brethren in the church of his first choice.
At the first annual meeting of the Eastern Ohio
Classis held in Columbiana, Ohio, in September, 1869,
he appeared before that body as an applicant for mem-
bership. The record in the case reads: " The Rev. L.
B. Perkins, an ordained minister of the U. B. Church,
and Rev. J. Meekly, a licentiate of the same body,
made application to be received as members of the Re-
formed Church." The Revs. James Reinhart and J.
Naille, together with elder M. Worle, constituted the
committee of examination, licensure and ordination.
The examination of the applicants was held in the pres-
ence of the members of Classis, and resulted favorably.
Brother Meekly was accordingly licensed to preach the
Gospel. At a special meeting of Classis held in St.
Jacob's church, near New Lisbon, Ohio, February 15th,
REV. JOHN MECKLY. 319
1870, brother Meekly laid before Classis a call from the
Berlin mission, which was approved and confirmed, and
provision made for his ordination. The E-ev. James
Reinhart preached the sermon on Acts 20 : 21, and
1 Pet. 5 : 14 ; after which the officers of Classis ordain-
ed the applicant by the solemn imposition of hands, ac-
cording to apostolic usage.
He served this congregation or charge, in the mean-
time preaching, also, quite frequently at Youngstown,
Ohio, until the autumn of that year.
At the second annual meeting of the Eastern Ohio
Classis, held in Jefferson, Ohio. Oct. 6th, 1870, Mr.
Meekly presented a call from the Springfield charge,
which was confirmed, and a committee, consisting ot the
Revs. G. M. Albright, T. Ferrell and J. M. Grether,
was appointed to install him as pastor of the charge.
He remained in this field of labor nearly twelve years,
and, in it, did the most of his work for the Reformed
Church. His annual reports, made to Classis during
this pastorate, show that his labors were greatly blessed.
The charge was then, as it still is, composed of two
congregations — namely Springfield and Unity. He re-
ports as having during his ministry in this particular
field, baptized two hundred and seventy-four, received
by confirmation and on certificate two hundred and
eighty-seven, buried one hundred and thirty-nine, and
collected for benevolent purposes not far from one thous-
and dollars.*
After his resignation of the Springfield charge, which
*Rev. J. M. Kendig— Obituary in '* Christian World;" see
also the " Ref. Ch. Mess.," May 19, 1886.
320 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
act was approved by Classis at its annual meeting in
Youngstown, Ohio, in May, 1882, he retired from the
active duties of the ministry, preaching only occasionally
for his brethren when requested so to do. His services,
however, were frequently solicited in certain localities,
especially among the Germans. Subsequent to his re-
tirement he was united in the bonds of matrimony to
Miss Anna Getz, of Columbiana, Ohio, with whom he
lived up to the time of his decease, which occurred on
Friday, April 16, 1886. Two days previous to his
death he was on the streets of the village, and seemed
to be as well as usual ; but during that night — Wed-
nesday, April 14th — he was striken with apoplexy, and
expired, as already stated, two days later, aged 73 years,
5 months and 14 days. His funeral took place on the
Lord's Day following, in the M. E. Church at Peters-
burg, and his mortal remains were laid to rest in the
beautiful cemetery near the village. The Rev. J. M.
Kendig delivered a discourse in the English language,
and was followed by the Rev. C. M. Schaaf in a Ger-
man address, and by the Rev. N. S. Bloom, pastor of
the Springfield charge. The Rev. J. H. Bomberger, of
the Reformed Church, and the Rev. F. R Peters, of
the M. E. Church, were also present.
As a preacher Mr. Meekly was plain and practical,
earnest and sincere. He lacked in preparation for the
ministry, which fact he deeply felt and acknowledged ;
and, on account of this defect in his qualifications, he
shrank from much of the work which usually falls to
the lot of ministers. At the meetings of Classis his
voice was rarely heard; but when any action was to be
REV. JOHN MECKLY. 321
taken, he always proved loyal to the Classis and the
Synod, and honestly sought to carry out their actions.
When assigned to any particular duty he always tried
faithfully to discharge the same. What he lacked in
previous mental training and theological acquirements,
he endeavored to supplement by earnest and persevering
efforts.
21
322 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
KEV. JOHN W. NEVIN, D. D., LL. D.
1803—1886.
Before preparing a sketch of the life and labors of
this great and good man, for the present volume of the
Lives of the Fathers of the Reformed Church, the Rev.
Dr. Heisler was called away by death. The duty of
compiling the necessary sketch, therefore, devolved
upon another. To publish the volume without a mem-
oir of the Rev. Dr. J. W. Nevin would be unsatisfac-
tory. It will not be our aim to present an extended
history of his life and labors, but rather to give a mere
outline or epitome, inasmuch as the pleasing task of
preparing a work on " The Life and Times of the Rev.
John Williamson Nevin, D. D., LL. D.," has been as-
signed to and undertaken by the Rev. Dr. Theodore
Appel, of Lancaster, Pa., which, it is fondly hoped, will
be published in the near future. To it the reader is re-
ferred for a full and extended biographical account of
Dr. Nevin's life and labors.
There is no lack of material on hand for the compi-
lation of the present sketch, but so great an abundance,
that the difficulty is to know just what to use and what
to not use, so as to bring it within reasonable length.
The autobiographical articles by Dr. Nevin himself
REV. JOHN W. NEVIN, D. D., LL. D. 323
in the Reformed Church Messenger of March, April,
May and June, A. D., 1870, and those on the eighty-
third anniversary of his life in the same periodical for
March 3rd, 1886, and of June 16th and 23rd of the same
year, on his death, are the main sources drawn upon in
preparing this article, and have been freely used.
John Williamson Nevin was born near the village of
Strasburg, Franklin county. Pa., Feb. 20, 1803, of dis-
tinguished parentage, from that sturdy so-called *' Scotch-
Irish" stock, by which the Cumberland Valley was
mainly settled, and which furnished so many of its pio-
neers of moral as well as material development, in the
early days of Pennsylvania. His father, John Nevin,
was a gentleman of more than ordinary intelligence, being
a graduate of Dickinson College, who was fond of books,
but in harmony with his tastes, spent his life in the noble
occupation of a farmer, living for many years on his
beautiful place in the northern portion of the county.
John Williamson was the oldest of a family of five dis-
tinguished sons and brothers, who have given the name
its wide fame, and three sisters. His father^s mother
was a Williamson^ sister to the distinguished Dr. Hugh
Williamson, LL. D., one of the framers of the Consti-
tution of the United States, and a man otherwise prom-
inent during the period of the Revolutionary War. An-
other brother, Capt. John Williamson, was a successful
and wealthy merchant of Charleston, S. C. It was as
namesake to him in particular that he got his middle
name Williamson. This grand- uncle also assumed the
charges of his college education.
By birth and blood a Presbyterian, he was early ded-
324 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
icated to the Lord in Holy Baptism, and carefully
brought up in the Christian faith by godly, pious parents
— in the system of sacramental, educational religion, un-
der the best sort of parental care, as then in vogue in the
venerable old Presbyterian Church of Middle Spring.
In the Autumn of 1817, when not yet fifteen years
old, he was sent to and matriculated as a student in Un-
ion College, at Schenectady, N. Y., and although the
youngest in his class, was graduated with honor in the
Fall of 1821, when not yet nineteen years old. On his
way to Union College in 1817, he called to see, and met
for the first and last time, his patriarchal kinsman. Dr.
Hugh Williamson, who was then residing in the city of
New York, and was past four-score years old. The
youth was greatly awed by the venerable and command-
ing appearance of his grand-uncle. His only word of
counsel to his grand-nephew was: "Take care, my boy,
that you do not learn to smoke; for smoking will lead
you to drinking, and that is the end of all good.'' The
youthful student heeded his grand-uncle's advice and
kept clear of smoking and all use of tobacco to the end
of his days.
In his youth and early manhood, Dr. Nevin was of
a delicate and rather feeble constitution, so that he hardly
hoped to survive the age of thirty years. By too close
application to his studies whilst at college, and the lack
of sufficient exercise, he contracted dyspepsia, which se-
riously affected his health, and from which he suffered
more or less for many years. As he grew older, he
readily apprehended tlie importance of scrupulous care
of his health ; and by the avoidance of all extremes and
REV. JOHN W. NEVIN, P. D., LL. D. 825
irregularities, that shorten so many lives, and by the
conservation of the conditions of diet, temperature and
exposure, he gradually overcame his physical ailments
and maintained himself in good health to a remarkable
age — 83 years, 3 months and 17 days. About seventeen
years before his death, when his family physician pro-
nounced him likely to have fifteen years of life yet, he
manifested incredulity — thought it could not be so.
Between his graduation from his college course, in
1821, with high honors, as already stated, and his enter-
ing upon the theological career, which has won for him
fame co-extensive with Christendom, we may say, there
were several years of severe bodily prostration, which,
as already mentioned, was gradually overcome by recre-
ation and communings with nature, in the woodlands
and on horseback, as well as in assisting his father on
the farm. He spent two years in this manner on the
homestead, in fields and woods, and acquired for the
time being a fondness for botany.
Having partially regained his shattered health, he
entered the Theological Seminary at Princeton, N. J.,
in the Autumn of 1823, and in the regular course of
studies took a special interest in Oriental and Biblical
literature. From the very outset he attained distinction
as a Hebrew scholar, reading the whole Bible in Hebrew,
and thereby obtained the flattering distinction of being
universally admitted to be the best Hebrew scholar in
said institution. This distinction contributed to mould
his whole subsequent career. For two years he filled
the chair of Oriental and Biblical Literature, whilst the
Rev. Dr. Charles Hodge was in Europe, on a tour for
326 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
his health. During this time it was that Dr. Nevin
wrote his Biblical Antiquities^ which have attained a very
large circulation in Europe as well as in America.
In October, 1828, he was licensed to preach the Gos-
pel by the Carlisle Presbytery. He supplied the con-
gregation at Big Spring or Newville, Cumberland county.
Pa., for a few months, but in 1829, soon after his father's
death, he was called to the chair of Biblical Litera-
ture in the new Presbyterian Theological Seminary, then
being established by the General Assembly at Allegheny
City, Pa. In December of that year, when only in his
twenty-seventh year, he assumed his duties in that insti-
tution, then without buildings, library or endowment.
There he remained ten years, teaching, preaching, writ-
ing, publishing; and braving opposition and popular
denunciation, if not physical violence — from those who
resented his vigorous expressions against infidelity, in-
temperance, irreligious amusements, slavery, the degen-
erate drama, etc., with all the inflexibility and heroism
of the boldest modern reformer. He was the outspoken,
unreserved opponent of slavery, infidelity, fashionable
amusements, church or ladies' fairs, and theatrical enter-
tainments. He was a radical temperance reformer sixty
years ago, when social abuses of the liquor or drink habit
required great plainness of speech. His temperance
views were strong to the last. Only a few days before
his death, when his physical constitution was yielding
rapidly to the inroads of the disease, which terminated in
death, he was requested to make use of stimulants. He
replied in the language of Pindar, " Water is the best."
We come now to view this remarkable man nearer
REV. JOHN W. NEVIN, D. D , LL. D. 327
home — as a minister and professor of the Reformed
Church. On the 29th day of January, A. D. 1840, a
special meeting of the Synod of the German Reformed
Church in the United States convened in Chambersburg
for the purpose of electing a suitable individual as Pro-
fessor of Theology in the Theological Seminary then but
recently located at Mercersburg. The Synod resolved
itself into a Committee of the Whole, and earnestly in-
quired whether it was limited in its choice to the minis-
try of the Reformed Church. After due consideration,
the committee rose, and the chairman of the Committee
of the Whole reported that the Synod was not so limited,
which was adopted. The names of the following per-
sons were then placed in nomination, to wit : Revs. John
H. Schmaltz, Albert Helffenstein, Jr., and John W.
Nevin, D. D, On the following morning, January 30th,
the friends of the two candidates first named were per-
mitted to withdraw them, and Dr. John W. Nevin be-
came the unanimous choice of Synod. Dr. Nevin heard,
as from the Lord, this call to a new sphere — the Profes-
sorship in the Seminary of the German Reformed Church.
He accepted the call in due time, and in May, 1840, re-
moved to Mercersburg and entered forthwith upon the
discharge of his duties. Here he devoted nearly thir-
teen years' service of the very prime of his life to the
theological and literary institutions of the Reformed
Church — first as Professor of Theology up to the time of
the death of Rev. Dr. Rauch, in March, 1841, and
then to the Spring of 1851, as President of Marshall
College and also Professor in the Theological Seminary,
when he resigned his professorship in the last named in-
328 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
stitutioD, which took effect in the Autumn of the same
year. For two years afterwards he served the College
as President, until its removal to Lancaster, Pa., in the
Spring of 1853. He then first removed to Carlisle, Pa.,
where he resided for nearly a year. He next moved to
Windsor Forge, in Lancaster county, Pa., and finally
built his residence a short distance west of Lancaster
city, named Caernarvon Place, where he dwelt up to the
time when called to the everlasting habitation on high.
In 1861, Dr. Nevin was called by the Board of Trus-
tees of Franklin and Marshall College to fill the chair
of Philosophy, History and Aesthetics in that institu-
tion, which he continued to fill until 1866, when he be-
came the President of the College for a period of ten
years, from 1866 to 1876. During these years his pen
was busy and his writings were voluminous After his
retirement from the College in 1876, he preached fre-
quently, wrote much and read vastly. Until a few years
before his death, his eyes were not dimmed, nor his nat-
ural force abated. Several months before his departure
his eyesight began to fail rapidly. About two weeks
before his death an exposure brought on a severe cold,
followed by enfeebled action of the heart. A favorable
change afforded some hope of his recovery, but on Thurs-
day afternoon at 2 o'clock there was a relapse, and his
life ebbed away until the following Sunday morning,
June 6th, 1886, about half past eight o'clock, when he
passed to his eternal reward, aged, as has been already
said, 83 years, 3 months and 17 days. The funeral ser-
vices took place on the following Wednesday forenoon.
These were largely attended by the ministry of the Re-
REV. JOHN W. NEVIN, D. D., LL. D. 329
formed Church, relatives and personal friends, and were
held in the College Chapel, Rev. Dr. T. G. Apple, Pres-
ident of the College, preaching the sermon. The inter-
ment was made in Woodward Hill Cemetery, at Lan-
caster, Pa. Thus passed away the man, who had, for
more than forty-five years, occupied the most prominent
position in the Reformed Church, and has had more to
do in forming and shaping her present course and trend
than any other in the present century. He was indeed
a teacher of teachers, a leader of leaders, and a master of
masters. The teacher, the leader, the master is gone,
but his name, his memory, the influence of his spirit
shall abide and endure forever.
On New Year's Day, 1835, Dr. Nevin was united
in holy wedlock with Martha J. Jenkins, a daughter of
the Hon. Robert Jenkins, at one time a member of Con-
gress, and a prominent iron master of Windsor Place,
Caernarvon township, Lancaster county, Pa. Their
union was blessed wilh seven children, four sons and
three daughters. Two of the sons preceded their father
to the spirit world. Mrs. Nevin, two sons and the three
daughters survived the husband and father. The sur-
viving children are Captain W. Wilberforce Nevin,
largely engaged in railroad enterprises ; Rev. Robert J«
Nevin, D. D., commander during the War of the Rebel-
lion of the famous " Nevin Battery," and now rector of
St. PauFs Within-the-walls Protestant Episcopal church
in Rome; Miss Alice Nevin, a well known musical com-
poser; Miss Blanche Nevin, sculptor and artist, her best
known work being the statue of General Peter Muhlen-
berg, in the Capitol at Washington, D. C; and Martha
330 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
J., the wife of Robert W. Sayre, of the Lehigh Valley
Kail road.
As a theologian Dr. Nevin stood in the very front
rank, and was recognized, far and wide in religious cir-
cles, as one of the profoundest thinkers of the age. His
learning and scholarship were very broad, and his ver-
satility was remarkable. Very few writers, if any, ex-
celled him in the use of forcible English, as some of his
polemical articles abundantly testify. His articles on the
" Use of Philosophy,'' and on " Human Freedom" fur-
nish the best specimens of his best thought and style.
Among his more important publications are the fol-
lowing: "Biblical Antiquities," 1829; "The Anxious
Bench," 1843; "Introduction to Dr. Schaff's Principle
of Protestantism," 1845; "History and Genius of the
Heidelberg Catechism," 1847; "The Doctrine of the
Reformed Church on the Presence of Christ in the Lord's
Supper," 1848; "The Apostles' Creed— Its Origin, Con-
stitution and Plan," 1849 ; " The Dutch Crusade," 1854 ;
" Review of Dr. Hodge's Commentary on the Ephesians,"
1857; "The Liturgical Question," 1862; "Christ and
Him Crucified," preached at the opening of the first
General Synod of the Reformed Church, in Pittsburg,
Pa., 1863; "Vindication of the Revised Liturgy," 1867;
" Answer to Professor Dorner, of Berlin, Germany,"
1868 ; " Once for All," 1869;" Revelation and Redemp-
tion," 1870; "The Revelation of God in Christ," 1871 ;
" Christ and His Spirit," 1872 ; and " Baccalaureate Dis-
course, John 3: 13," 1872. For years Dr. Nevin was
also the chief contributor to the Mercershurg Review from
its origin in 1849, furnishing the leading articles. He
REV. JOHN W. NEVIN, D. D., LL. D. 331
also contributed a vast number of articles for the Re-
formed Church Messenger.
Dr. J. W. Nevin was noted for profound and broad
thought in philosophy and theology ; and his theological
thinking for the last thirty or forty years of his life was
remarkable for the emphasis which he put on the person
of Jesus Christ. It was Christocentric and Christologi-
cal. He was the first theologian in the United States
who broke away from the system of Calvinism on the
one hand, and from that of Arminianism on the other,
and made the concrete unity of God and man the central
idea of doctrine and worship. For a long time he stood
alone on this ground, with no sympathy from his theo-
logical peers. Instead, he was resisted, severely criticised
and not infrequently denounced. But he did not teach
and contend in vain. A great change has taken place.
What was afl&rmed of Zacharius Ursinus may be
truthfully claimed for Dr. Nevin : " He was a great
theologian, a vanquisher of the prevalent erroneous doc-
trines concerning the person of Christ and His Supper,
gifted with powerful language and pen, a keen-sighted
philosopher, a wise man, and a strict teacher of the
young." W. M. D.
332 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH
REV. ANDREW J. BOWERS.
1836—1886.
The subject of this sketch was a man of considerable
talent and culture; but, owing to physical infirmities, he
did not accomplish what otherwise would have been the
case. His life was a checkered one, and his ministerial ca-
reer comparatively short and to human ken apparently
unproductive. Yet did he not live in vain. His life of
suffering and self-denial spent in the Master^s service, so
far as this was possible, was not a failure. He heard
the call of the Lord and heeded it — an act of obedience
which itself is instructive and beneficial; and the brev-
ity of his ministry does not warrant us to conclude that
he accomplished little or no good. God employs his ser-
vants in various ways for the accomplishment of His
gracious purposes, and every faithful servant bears his
just proportion of the burden lai.l upon the Church in
her ministry of mercy. So in the case of our sainted
brother. He too had his place, and accomplished his
work in connection with the Church militant on earth,
and now reaps the blessed reward of his labors and toils.
Andrew J. Bowers, the son of Solomon and Mary
Bowers, the youngest of twelve children, was born near
Weyer's Cave, in Augusta county, Virginia, October
KEV. ANDREW J. BOWERS. 333
14th, 1836. In his early life he entered the Lutheran
Church, from which he was subseqently, in 1857, received
on certificate as a member of the Reformed Church.
Daring the same year he made application to the Classis
of Virginia to be taken under its care as a candidate for
the ministry, and was received by the same at a regular
meeting held in Lovettsville, Virginia, as a beneficiary
student. He spent several years in the work of prepar-
ing himself for college at the Mossy Creek Academy, in
Augusta county, Virginia. In the Fall of 1859 he en-
tered Franklin and Marshall College, at Lancaster, Pa.,
where he graduated in 1864. He then took a three
years' course in the Theological Seminary of the Reformed
Church, at Mercersburg, Pa., after which he went to Ger-
many and spent two or three years in the University of
Berlin, enjoying the instructions of the distinguished
scholar and theologian Dr. Dorner.
He returned to the United States in 1870, and was
soon afterwards licensed by the Classis of Virginia to
preach the Gospel. Owing to the feeble state of his
health, he spent some time as a private tutor in Phila-
delphia, and subsequently as professor in Ursinus Col-
lege ; but declining health compelled him to relinquish
his work in the school room, for which he was so well
prepared ; and he returned to his home in Virginia with
the view of regaining his health. In this he was par-
tially successful, having improved so much as to warrant
him to engage in the ministerial work. He accordingly
made application to the Virginia Classis for admission,
and was received by it from the Classis of Philadelphia,
with which he stood connected. This was in May,
334 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
1874. In December of the same year, he accepted a call
from the Mill Creek charge, in Virginia, and entered
upon his pastoral duties January 1, 1875. His ordina-
tion and installation took place on the fifth Sunday of
the same month, the committee consisting of the Revs.
J. C. Hensell, H. Tallhelm and Dr. Geo. H. Martin.
His active ministry was of short duration, lasting
only a little more than one year. Owing to his ill
health he was compelled to relinquish his chosen work
in May, 1876; and the pastoral relation betvveen him
and the Mill Creek charge was accordingly dissolved.
He returned to his old home, where he spent the re-
mainder of his life in doing some light work on the
farm and in attending to the business affairs of his sis-
ters. During this period he was in bad health, often
not being able to go about at all, so that he was mostly
confined to the house. A severe cold, contracted in the
Winter of 1876, settled upon his lungs and brought on
a speedy decline and early death. On Sunday morn-
ing, the 6th day of June, 1886, he peacefully and tri-
umphantly passed over from a life of suffering and sor-
row to " the blessed inheritance of the saints in light,"
aged 49 years, 7 months and 22 days.*
On the following day, Monday, June 7, 1886, his
mortal remains were laid to rest, amid appropriate reli-
gious ceremonies, in the quiet little cemetery of St.
Paul's Reformed church, in Augusta county, Virginia,
to await "the resurrection of the body and the life ever-
* See obituary by the Rev. B. R. Carnahan, in "Ref. Church
Mess.," Sept. 1, 1886.
REV. ANDREW J. BOWERS. 335
lasting in the world to come." The Rev. Dr. S. N.
Callender preached a very able and appropriate sermon
on the occasion. (So resteth the sainted brother.
Asleep in Jesus ! blessed sleep,
From which none ever wakes to weep :
A calm and undisturbed repose,
Unbroken by the last of foes !
336 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
REV. JOHN CHRISTOPHER YOUNG.
1819—1886.
We are furnished with a very full and excellent ac-
count of the deceased in the Reformirte KirchenzeiU
unQy by a writer who fortunately had access to an au-
tobiographical sketch, in which the sainted brother has
given us a faithful picture of his eventful life and la-
bors. From this article we take our material for the
present sketch.*
Mr. Young was a foreigner by birth and education.
He was a native of Osweil, near Ludwigsburg, in Wxir-
temberg, Germany, where he was born March 13, 1819.
He always regarded it as a special mark of the divine
favor that he was the child of pious parents, who en-
deavored to conduct their family affairs in a truly Chris-
tian way ; and the spirit of sincere piety which charac-
terized the family circle made a deep and lasting im-
pression upon his young and tender heart. Frequently
during the devotional exercises around the family altar
his tender heart was touched and filled with noble
thoughts and high resolves. He was also carefully
taught by his pious parents to commit Scripture passages,
* See obituary, by an unknown hand, in the "Kirchenzeit-
ung" of July 21, 1886.
REY. JOHN CHRISTOPHER YOUN 337
questions and answers from the Catechism, and verses
from the hymns which were used in the worship of God's
house. All these acquisitions proved to be of great value
to him then and in after life, and formed an invaluable
treasury of spiritual truths, from which he could freely
draw at a subsequent period of his life, when engaged
in the service of his Master.
When he had reached the years of maturity, his par-
ents, as was customary in his native land, sent him to
the pastor of the church to be instructed in the doctrines
and precepts of the Gospel, and thus prepared for confir-
mation and full membership in the Church of Christ.
He became a member of the Lutheran Church, and ever
after felt grateful to God for the good instructions which
he enjoyed as a catechumen. His mind was early turned
to the subject of becoming a minister of the Gospel. The
love of Christ, which brought peace and comfort to his
own heart, he wished to make known to his fellowmen.
Hence he early consecrated himself to this blessed work
of preaching among men the blessed Gospel of the grace
of God. As a youth he made a visit to Switzerland,
where he became acquainted with the work of missions
in connection with the Basle Mission Institute, in which
talented and pious young men were fitted to labor in for-
eign fields. He w^as admitted as a student to the Insti-
tute and continued his work of preparation for a period
of five years. Besides his special studies, he also gath-
ered a fund of knowledge on other and kindred subjects.
His constitution disqualified him to some extent for la-
bor in tropical countries, and he was accordingly sent to
the United States to engage in missionary work among
22
338 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
his countrymen in this New World. He finished his
studies in the Autumn of 1844; and, in company with
a fellow-student — a Mr. Schrenk — started for the Unit-
ed States in the same Fall, landing at New Orleans on
the 11th day of November, 1844. He left his colleague
in New Orleans, and came North, reaching St. Louis,
where he met persons who had been sent over at an ear-
lier period on the same mission, and had organized them-
selves into the Evangelical Church Union, from which
the Evangelical Synod of the West subsequently sprung.
Mr. Young was one of the earliest members of this body,
in whose service he spent the best energies of his life,
having stood in connection with it for a period of twenty-
seven years. The states of Illinois, Missouri and Indi-
ana constituted the field of his labors, the nature of
which can be realized only when we form an estimate
of the condition of those states forty or more years ago.
Mr. Young found his first field of labor in Quincy,
Illinois, and on Easter Sunday, 1845, he held his first
service and preached his introductory sermon to the
Evangelical (Union) congregation established in that
place, and remained with them up to 1848, when a di-
vision took place among the people of his charge; he
remained with one portion of the congregation, organ-
ized them into a separate body, and as the members were
poor, he built them a church with his own personal
means. The congregation flourished and grew strong.
In connection with this church he also supplied a place
twenty miles distant with preaching. Through over-
exertion he injured his health and was obliged to retire
from the active duties of the ministry for a time. The
REV. JOHN CHRISTOPHER YOUNG. 339
congregation, now strong, purchased the building from.
their retiring pastor.
Rest wrought a favorable change, and Mr. Young
was able again to labor in the Church. He removed to
Warsaw, Illinois, where he organized a new congrega-
tion. His salary was very small here. In 1855 Mr.
Young received a call from St. Louis, which, being the
third from that place, he felt constrained to accept. Dur-
ing his ministry here the St. John^s church was built and
dedicated. Still after two years' labor in the congrega-
tion, he retired from the same, and removed to Vin-
cennes, Indiana. Here he and his family suffered much
sickness, and he remained only three years, and then re-
moved to New Albany, and labored there up to 1869,
when he settled in Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained
to the end of his life. The church building became too
small for the congregation, and Mr. Young had the
pleasure of seeing a large and costly building erected by
the congregation. He had thus the prospect of spend-
ing his days pleasantly among the people whom he had
gathered. But it turned out differently. A difficulty
arose in the church, which ended in a separation of a por-
tion of the congregation, on his retiring from the pastor-
ate, who were organized into a separate body, of which
Mr. Young became the pastor. At the same time he
passed over into the Reformed Church, and became a
member of the Erie Classis, of which he continued to
be an active member from 1872 up to the close of his
life. He always took a deep interest in the Classical
meetings. His annual reports to Classis were always
interesting and sometimes even amusing, being on one
340 FATHEES OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
occasion presented in the form of a poem. Mr. Young
was a good man and an earnest and instructive preacher,
as well as a faithful pastor. His name and ministry are
held in grateful remembrance by the people of his sev-
eral charges.
In the month of January, 1847, Mr. Young entered
into matrimony with Miss Amelia Wagner, daughter of
Chancellor Wagner, of Stuttgard, Germany, who was a
true wife and faithful companion of the good pastor.
Their union was blessed with eight children, four of
whom died in early childhood, and one — a son — was
called away about one year prior to the decease of his
father. He was a rising lawyer, and his untimely death
was a heavy loss to the bereaved parents. During the
WTek preceding Whitsunday the good pastor departed
this life in the triumphs of faith and entered into the
joy of his Lord. His death was a blessed one, never to
be forgotten by those who witnessed it. He had passed
to the sixty-seventh year of his life, and the forty-first
of his ministry. On Whitsunday afternoon, June 13th,
1886, his mortal remains were laid in their last resting
place amidst the tears of his faithful and loving people.
Brother Young was a man of an excellent Christian
character, and enjoyed the love and esteem of his own
people as well as the confidence and cordial esteem of
his brethren in the ministry. His house was the model
of a Christian home, and a pleasant retreat for his minis-
terial brethren, who always met with a cordial welcome
from the kind-hearted and hospitable pastor, whose
praise is in all the churches.
HEV. WILLIAM T, GERHARD. 341
REV. WILLIAM T. GERHARD.
1809—1886.
The following sketch, prepMred by an unknown hand,
is found in the Reformed Church Messenger of Septem-
ber 1st, 1886. It is slightly altered and abbreviated so
as to render it less bulky. The writer says: William
Trautman Gerhard was born of pious parents in Tulpe-
hocken township, Berks county. Pa., December 10th,
1809. By descent, as well as by education and choice,
he was a member of the Reformed Church. His great-
grandfather, Frederick Gerhard, who emigrated from
Langenselbold, Hesse Cassel, Germany, in 1737, and
settled in Berks county. Pa., was a staunch member of
the Reformed Church. So also the grandfather and
father, both of whom bore the name of Frederick. No
less thoroughly Reformed were his ancestors on the
mother's side. His maternal grandfather, John Philip
Trautman, and his wife, Magdalena HoflPman, were like-
wise members of the same Church, as were also their
parents on both sides, from the time of their immigra-
tion to this county, between the years 1730 and 1740.
Frederick Gerhard, the immediate ancestor, was the
youngest of five children — three sons and two daugh-
ters. He was married to Magdalena Trautman, and
342 FATHERS OF THE EEFORMED CHURCH.
their union was blessed with eleven children, all of
whom, with one exception, in turn became heads of
families. William Trautman Gerhard was the third in
the family. In early infancy he was baptized by the
Rev. Dr. William Hendel and confirmed in the Host
church before he was fifteen years of age. In his fifth
year he learned to read German. Under his grand-
father Frederick Gerhard's direction he read the Holy
Bible through before he had attained the age of seven
years. The explanations and practical remarks of this
man of God he always regarded as the best schooling he
ever received. When about ten years of age, his pas-
tor, the Rev. Dr. Hendel, preached a sermon on the
prodigal son, which made a deep and lasting impression
upon him ; and from that time on he was conscious of
a call to the Gospel ministry. His father, although a
pious man, and for many years an elder in the church,
did not favor his inclinations to enter the ranks of the
ministry. This opposition, however, only strengthened
the determination of the son to heed the Master's call.
So completely was his mind taken up with this subject
that in his dreams he imagined multitudes of people be-
fore him, to whom he pointed out the way to heaven.
When about seventeen years old, he spent a year with
his pastor, doing out-door work and taking lessons in
the Latin language. Soon after this he spent a year
with his uncle, Michael Trautman, in West Virginia.
W^hen nearly of age, he left home to enter in a formal
way upon his studies for the ministry ; and for this
purpose he made his home one year with the Rev. Fred-
erick A. Herman, at Womelsdorf, Pa., who in the mean-
REV. WILLIAM T. GERHARD. 343
time had become the pastor of Host church. Here he
received instruction in theology, Church history and
the Latin language. In 1831 he went to York, Pa.-,
and entered the Theological Seminary of the Reformed
Church. His journey he made on foot, carrying his
books and clothing in a small bundle, with five dollars
cash in his pocket. He was heartily welcomed by the
Professor in charge — the Rev. Dr. Lewis Mayer — under
whom he prosecuted his studies, receiving at the same
time, also, instruction in the High School under Dr. F.
A. Rauch, and Profs. Dover, Budd and Agnew. In
1834 he concluded his studies in the Theological Semi-
nary. He had the pleasure of knowing before this time
that his father was fully reconciled to his course, and
that he had made provision in his will for tlie education
of his youngest son in case he should be inclined to study
for the ministry.
After leaving the Seminary, Mr. Gerhard preached
occasionally for the Rev. Thomas H. Leinbach, and also
taught school one Winter near his home — the first Eng-
lish, as well as the first subscription school ever held in
that section of country.
In 1835 he received a call from the Bern church,
was licensed by the so-called Free Synod, at Orwigs-
burg, Schuylkill county, Pa., and in the same year was
married to Miss Elizabeth Seibert, who, by descent, ed-
ucation and choice, was also a member of the Reformed
Church. For a period of forty-six years, up to the time
of her death, in 1881, this godly woman was an invalu-
able helpmeet to him. Naturally of a timid and retir-
ing disposition — mild, gentle and tender-hearted, she
344 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
wielded a remarkable influence over her children, who
knew her to be a woman of implicit faith and earnest
prayer, and always found comfort and shelter in her
warm and loving heart.
The first charge served by Pastor Gerhard consisted
of the Bern church, in Berks county, and the Swamp
and Reamstown,in Lancaster county. In 1836 he was
ordained by the so-called Free Synod, in the Salem
church, St. John's street, Philadelphia. The subject of
reunion with the mother Synod was the all-absorbing
question at this meeting and received his cordial support
as well as that of most of the younger men in the ministry.
During h'is pastorate here a new church was built at
Bern. He continued in this field nearly four years,
when he removed to Northampton county and took
charge of five congregations in and around Weissport.
This was in the month of April, 1838. His residence
was at Cherry ville. At Weissport he organized a con-
gregation, but was obliged to catechise and confirm a
class of catechumens before he had male members enough
to form a consistory. Soon afterwards a large brick
church was erected. He also organized a congregation
at what is called Big Creek, and built a church there.
While in this charge he preached a part of his time in
eight different churches. During his ministry here he
encountered some difficulty from the New Measure or
Anxious Bench System, but happily surmounted the op-
position by pursuing a firm and prudent course in regard
to this strange movement.
Mr. Gerhard's third charge was at Durham, in Bucks
county, Pa., consisting of four congregations. He en-
REV. WILLIAM T. GERHARD. 345
tered the field in 1844, and continued in the same fif-
teen yeais. During his pastorate here he organized a
new congregation in Williams township, supplied it
with preaching, and built a new church. He also built
a new church at Durham. In 1859 he removed to Lan-
caster, Pa., and for eleven years served his fourth
charge, consisting of six country congregations. One
chief inducement for leaving his charge in Bucks county
was the education of his children, and it was his pleas-
ure to see five sons graduate from Franklin and Mar-
shall College. His fifth charge was St. John's in the
city of Lancaster. This congregation he organized in
the First Reformed church, Lancaster, January 2, 1870,
where the services continued to be held until the com-
pletion of the German church in 1872. This charge he
served for a period of five years. After his retirement
from the active duties of the ministry, Father Gerhard
did good service to the Church by preaching for his min-
isterial brethren whenever opportunity was afforded. He
was during his time a popular preacher and a successful
pastor. He possessed considerable business tact, and
made himself useful in the community in which he lived
in different ways. He was the father of eight children
— five sons and three daughters. The youngest daugh-
ter died at the age of eighteen, and his son Jacob A.
when twenty-six years old, and when he had less than
a year to complete his preparation for the holy minis-
try. The family at present consists of Drs. J. Z. and
M. U. Gerhard ; Rev. D. W. Gerhard, pastor of the
Willow Street charge. Pa.; Mrs. D. C. Tobias, wife
of the Rev. Tobias, of Lititz, Pa. ; Rev. C. S. Ger-
346 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
hard, of Reading, Pa., and Miss Lizzie Gerhard, who,
as a loving daughter, has long and faithfully kept house
for her aged parents. In the death of Father Gerhard,
Lancaster lost one of her best citizens and most useful
pastors. His labors were abundant. He travelled in
the performance of his official duties about 81,300 miles,
officiated at 2,044 baptisms, confirmed 1,251 persons,
held 820 funeral services, preached 4,486 sermons, and
solemnized 1,942 marriages.
Father Gerhard died in Harrisburg, Pa., August
18, 1886, aged 76 years, 8 months and 8 days. His
funeral took place from his late residence in Lancaster,
Pa., on Saturday, August 21, 1886. The services were
held in the First Reformed church, which was filled by
a large number of persons, who came to do honor to
his memory. His pastor, the Rev. Dr. J. M. Titzel,
preached an appropriate sermon, which was followed by
a brief address from the Rev. Dr. T. G. Apple. Drs.
Stahr and Gast took part in the liturgical service. His
remains were laid to rest in the Lancaster Cemetery.
REV. JACOB KLINGLER. 347
REV. JACOB KLINGLER.
1818—1886.
Jacob Klingler, the subject of this sketch, was born
in Jackson township, Perry county, Ohio, July 21st,
1818. Of his parentage, family connections, and early
life, we have no definite information. It is presumed,
however, that he grew up in the midst of a Christian
family and under the influence of religious principles, so
as to be early inclined to a life of devotion to the Lord.
At any rate there is nothing mentioned of a sudden and
marked change of life in connection with his early history.
His education was but limited, such only as was af-
forded by the common schools of his native place. Where
or under what circumstances he prepared himself spe-
cially for the office and work of the ministry we are not
able to say. It is stated that when he reached the years
of maturity, he studied the German language and ac-
quired a sufficient knowledge of the same to enable him
to converse freely in the same and also to use it in his
public ministry, serving charges which required preach-
ing in both languages. By close application to study, he
acquired a considerable fund of useful knowledge which
he put to good practical uses in connection with his of-
ficial work, so that he became a useful man and an ac-
ceptable and successful preacher and pastor.
348 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
It appears that before entering the ministry, and
while yet young in years, Mr. Klingler entered into the
matrimonial state with Miss Susan Strubel, August 25th,
1838, in the place of his nativity. His wife bore him
nine children, six of whom, together with their mother,
survived to mourn the death of a faithful husband and
a loving and affectionate parent.
Mr. Klingler was ordained as a minister of the Re-
formed Church in 1853, and thus continued in the sa-
cred office for the space of thirty-five years, faithfully
discharging the duties of a herald of the cross according
to the ability which God had given him. In 1852 he
took up his residence three miles west of Ada, in Har-
din county, Ohio, where he continued to reside, as it ap-
pears, on a farm which he owned, and which, in connec-
tion with his other duties, he continued to cultivate.
After his resignation of the Allen county charge, of which
he was pastor, Mr. Klingler served some congregations
in Hancock county, and later still the Upper Sandusky
charge in Wyandotte county, remaining resident on his
farm near Ada.* After a lesidence of twelve years at
this place, he removed with his family to Upper San-
dusky, and then devoted all his rime and strength to the
work of building up the Church. He entered upon this
field of labor when it was missionary ground, and left it
a self-supporting charge, consisting of two strong con-
gregations, with handsome brick churches, one in town
and the other in the country. He subsequently removed
to Stoutsville, Fairfield county, Ohio, where he was ac-
tively engaged in the pastoral work for about five years,
* Obituary in " Ref. Cli. Mess.," April 13th, 1887.
REV. JACOB KLINGLER. 349
when he became afflicted with a disease of the kidneys,
which compelled him to relinquish the regular ministra-
tions of the Gospel. Returning to Upper Sandusky, he
supported himself and family by keeping a nursery, rais-
ing trees and flowers for the market. He, however, re-
mained true and earnestly devoted to the Church, and
in various ways sought to advance her interests even to
the end of his earthly life.
Father Klingler did not seek his own interest and
personal advantage in carrying forward the work of the
ministry, but was anxious to gain souls to Christ and
thus to glorify his divine Lord and Master.
The death of this aged Father in the Church, though
naturally to be looked for, was yet unexpected. On
Sunday evening, November 14th, 1886, in company
with the Rev. Dr. Vogt, he attended divine service.
After the close of the service he returned to his house,
accompanied by his friend, who conducted family wor-
ship with the household. At the close of this service,
all arose from their devotions except Father Klingler,
who remained in a kneeling posture, and became speech-
less after uttering these words, "I shall soon be better,"
falling into a stupor, in which condition he remained
until he breathed his last — dying a painless and peace-
ful death. This occurred on Saturday, November 20,
1886, in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, after an illness of
less than a week. On the following Mondav, Novem-
ber 22nd, his mortal remains were laid to rest. Three
Reformed ministers and others also were present and
took part more or less in the solemn services. Father
Klingler brought his age to 68 years and 4 months, less
one day.
350 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
Mr. Klingler was a good man and a faithful min-
ister of the Gospel. He was earnest and conscientious
in the discharge of his ministerial duties, consistent in
his life, and happy in his domestic and social relations.
Dr. Vogt, in his funeral discourse, pronounced him a
pure, good-hearted, benevolent and conscientious man.
He loved his Saviour and earnestly sought to imitate
His beautiful example.
REV. JACOB D. ZEHRING. 351
REV. JACOB D. ZEHRING.
1817—1887.
Brother Zehring was of German descent, and pos-
sessed all the better qualities of a genuine Pennsylvania
German — simplicity, honesty and integrity of heart.
He was an Israelite indeed, who "knew no guile.''
What his heart felt, his lips uttered. He was bent on
doing good, and to this grand purpose of his life all his
energies of body and mind were cheerfully and exclu-
sively devoted. In every sense of the word was Brother
Zehring a good man. With but ordinary natural en-
dowments and limited opportunities for mental culture,
he possessed powers and aptitude for doing good which
many a one, far more favorably circumstanced, would
have been glad to possess.
Mr. Zehring was born in the vicinity of Jonestown,
Lebanon county, Pa., July 25th, 1817. The names of
his parents are unknown to me. They were, however,
decidedly Christian parents, who cared for the spiritual
welfare of their offsprinaj, and by so doing realized their
dearest hopes in the excellent Christian character and
usefulness of their children. In early infancy he was
baptized by the Rev. William Hiester, of blessed mem-
ory. When of proper age and after due preparatory
352 FATHERS OF THE REFOFvMED CHURCH.
training he was confirmed by the late Rev. John Gring,
for many years pastor of a number of Reformed churches
in that section of country. Brother Zehring always
spoke with filial affection of his aged pastor. His lit-
erary and theological studies he pursued at Mercersburg,
Pa., where our institutions of learning were then lo-
cated, entering them in 1841. He left the Theological
Seminary in the Spring of 1846. He was licensed by
the Lebanon Classis, at its annual meeting in May,
1846, held at Elizabethtown, Lancaster county, Pa.
Having received a call to the Palmyra charge in Leb-
anon county, he was ordained to the work of the Chris-
tian ministry, June 18, 1846, by a committee of the
Classis that licensed him, consisting of Revs. Thomas
H. Leinbach, Henry Wagner and David Bossier. He
served the Palmyra charge for the period of about two
years. His second charge was at Rebersburg, in Centre
county, where he labored with acceptance and success
for two years and a half. From Centre county he re-
turned to the vicinity of his old home and the scene of
his first ministiy, and became pastor of what is called
the "Host" church in Berks county, Pa. His pastorate
in this third field extended over a period of thirteen
years, when he accepted of a call to the pastorate of the
Emanuel (now Jefferson) charge in York county. Pa.
This was his last field of labor, and engaged his atten-
tion and efforts during the concluding part of his min-
isterial life. For a period of sixteen years he labored
in this field, seeking the spiritual good of his simple-
hearted and earnest parishioners. We have no difficulty
in assuming that his labors were blessed and made sub-
REV. JACOB D. ZEHRING. 353
servient to the accomplishment of the work to which
God had called His humble and obedient servant. In
consequence of a paralytic stroke which he received at
this time, he was obliged to relinquish the active duties
of the ministry some years prior to his death. During
the last seven years of his life, while practically dis-
abled, he continued to make himself useful in different
ways. He wrote quite frequently for our Church pe-
riodicals— the Messenger and the Hausfreundj especially
the latter. His articles were always simple and unpre-
tending, spiritual and edifying.
Mr. Zehring was twice married. Early in his min-
istry, 1847, he was united in holy wedlock to Miss Eliz-
abeth Gingerich, with whom he had three children, one
son and two daughters. She died in 1856. His second
wife was Miss Catharine Kline. The fruits of this mar-
riage were two daughters.
Some idea of the labors of our brother may be ob-
tained from a review of the results of his ministry. He
baptized 3,050 persons, confirmed 1,217, married 621
couples and buried 1,138 persons.
After the deceased was disabled, he still continued
to reside at Codorus, in York county, where he had
hitherto exercised his ministry. He did what he could
to serve his divine Master and make himself useful to.
his fellowmeu. On the 4th day of February, 1887, he
had another attack of paralysis of a very serious charac-
ter. He lingered under the effects of this attack until
six o'clock of the following morning, February 5th, when
it pleased the Lord to release him from the sufferings
and sorrows of earth, and to remove his spirit to the un-
23
354 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHITRCH.
seen and eternal world — to rest in the bosom of his Sa-
viour— his age being 69 years, 6 months and 11 days.
His funeral took place on the morning of February
9th, at 10.30. The services at the house were conducted
by the Rev. A. F. Dreisbach, and those at the grave by
the Rev. F. A. Guth.* His mortal remains were laid
to rest in the cemetery of Christ Reformed church, Jef-
ferson, Pa. A suitable discourse was preached by the
Rev. Henry Hilbish in the German language, and one
in English by the Rev. Dr. Moses KieflPer, of Gettys-
burg. The text used by both the speakers was the same,
namely : " I have a desire to depart and be with Christ,'^
a very suitable text for a sufferer such as the deceased
had been for a number of years. The Revs. Spangler,
Hartman and Ketterman were also present and took part
in the funeral solemnities.
In the death of Father Zehring the Church lost an
esteemed and faithful servant of Christ — one whose fidel-
ity endeared him not only to his own people, whom he
had formerly served, but also to the entire community.
His humility was characteristic, and exhibited his ear-
nest and beautiful life in bold relief. He will be held
in grateful remembrance by the people who enjoyed his
earnest ministry, and by the members of the Reformed
Church generally. His labors and sorrows are over,
and his soul rests with God. So may our end be — calm
and peaceful — radiant with the light and beauty of Hea-
ven !
* " Ref. Ch. Mess.," Feb. 23rcl, 1887. Obituary by the Rev.
F. A. Guth.
REV. HENRY KELLER. 355
REV. HENRY KELLER.
1850—1887.
The following beautiful and appropriate sketch of
Mr. Keller^s life and labors in the ministry of the Re-
formed Church was prepared by the Rev. Wm. H. Groh,
his intimate friend and pastor, and we give it with but
few verbal changes. It is brief and to the point, giving
a satisfactory history of God's dealings with his youth-
ful servant. With these few introductory words we
make room for Brother Groh's sketch.*
Rev. Henry Keller, son of Henry and Margaret
Keller, was born at Boalsburg, Centre county. Pa.,
September 26th, A. D. 1850. His mother, who sur-
vives him, is a sister of Rev. B. S. Schneck, D. D., of
blessed memory. His parents being devoted members
of the Reformed Church, he was, in his early infancy,
given unto the Lord in holy baptism, and having
received a Christian training in the family, the Sunday
school and the catechetical class, he at a suitable age en-
tered into full communion with the Church of his fathers
in his native place. He always proved himself a faith-
ful member of the Church, attending regularly upon all
* "Ref. Ch. Mess.," May 25th, 1887. Obituary by the Rev.
William H. Groh.
356 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
her ordinances, and ever evincing a deep interest in her
prosperity. When still quite young, it pleased the Lord
to afflict him with an attack of fever. It was during
this illness that his pastor, as he himself afterwards told
him, was enabled to make such impressions on him,
that he began to think seriously of devoting himself to
the work of the holy ministry.
Gifted with a good mind and having studious habits,
he made rapid progress in his studies as a boy at school.
It is therefore not strange that when the time came for
choosing a calling, he felt himself called to the work of
the ministry. He accordingly entered upon a long and
thorough course of preparation. He at first pursued his
studies in the Academy of his native village. Subse-
quently he entered Franklin and Marshall College at
Lancaster, where he graduated in 1874. He then took
a three years' course at the Theological Seminary in the
same city, and was licensed to preach the Gospel by
West Susquehanna Cla-sis in the month of May, 1877.
Having received and accepted a call from the Maquo-
keta charge, within the bounds of Iowa Classis, he was
by the said Classis ordained to the Gospel ministry in the
year 1879. In this field he labored faithfully for the
greater part of two years. Bat the rigors of an Iowa
winter proved too much for his not very robust consti-
tution. His health failed, and he was obliged to resign
his charge and cease from the active labors of the min-
istry. He now returned to his home.
He engaged in teaching school for several years,
hoping that a change of occupation might be favorable
to the restoration of his health, but finding that his lungs
REV. HENRY KELLER. 357
were permanently weakened and that he was no longer
capable of enduring regular public speaking, he asked
permission of West Susquehanna Classis to devote him-
self to some secular calling.
His request was granted in May, 1883, whereupon he
fitted himself for the practice of law and was admitted as
a member of the Centre County Bar. But his career in
his new vocation was destined to be as brief as it had
been in the work of the ministry. It is true, it seemed
at first as if a bright future was before him, and his
friends hoped with him, that he might regain his health,
but too soon it became apparent that the fond hopes which
he and they had cherished were delusive. For the greater
part of last year it was painfully evident to his friends,
that that dread disease, pulmonary consumption, the
foundation of which was laid during his labors in Iowa,
was making rapid inroads on his system, and that the
end could not be far off any more. All who knew him
heartily sympathized with him in his affliction. The
expressions of sympathy and love were so many that he
one day said ; " If kindness could make me well, I
would soon have my health back again." But, alas !
kindness, care and even the prayers of loving friends
were alike unavailing. His sickness was unto death.
His sufferings, which at times were very great, he bore
in the spirit of patient resignation, knowing " that all
things work together for good, to them that love God."
When, at last, it became clear to him that death was
inevitable, he did not fear it, but calmly and resignedly
awaited its coming, assured that he then would enter
into rest. To the writer he said: " Now I will soon
go home." His mind remained clear to the very last.
358 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
He peacefully passed away April 20th, 1887, aged
36 years, 6 months and 24 days.
On Friday, April 22nd, his funeral took place at
Boalsburg, which was very largely attended. Rev. W.
H. Groh, the pastor of his childhood and youth, preached
a discourse on the words, " Precious in the sight of the
Lord is the death of His saints." He was followed
with a short and appropriate address by Rev. J. F.
DeLoug, who was intimately associated with him at
College, and subsequently also was his pastor for some
years. Revs. D. M. Wolff and T. S. Land were also
present and took part in the services. Rev. Robert
Hamill, D. D., of the Presbyterian Church offered prayer
at the house.
A number of members of the Centre County Bar
were in attendance and acted as pall-bearers.
It has been very aptly said that his life was a life
of preparation rather than that of achievements. And
yet he did not live in vain. He was a good man, loved
and respected by many.
REV. THOMAS S. JOHNSTON, D. D. 359
REV. THOMAS S. JOHNSTON, D. D.
1818—1887.
Dr. Johnston was well known in the Reformed
Church as an excellent man and warm-hearted Chris-
tian, as well as an able minister of Christ. His mind
was naturally strong and well-balanced, his judgment
sound and trust-worthy, his pulpit abilities excellent,
and his other qualifications for the ministry all of a
high order. His ardent temperament and consequent
sympathy with his audience made him a very able and
effective pulpit orator. He was also a good and faith-
ful pastor, attending conscientiously to the spiritual
wants of his people. Of his childhood and early youth,
as well as of his public life and labors in the ministry,
the Rev. Dr. Van Home has furnished a very clear
and satisfactory account, which we shall freely use as in
all respects appropriate to set forth the character and
work of this excellent brother. His biographer says :
The deceased was born in Philadelphia on August
4th, 1818, and was, therefore, nearly 69 years of age at
the time of his death. His parents were Thomas and
Mary Johnston, natives of Scotland, and from them he
inherited the energy of character which distinguished
his whole life. The death of his father, who was a
360 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
graduate of the University of Edinburgh, took place
while he was yet a mere youth, and some kind friends
of the family, recognizing his talent and great promise
for future usefulness, regretting that through adversity
he had left school, interested themselves to secure for
him the advantage of an education. He was trained
under private tutorage. Of his early religious training
and convictions we have no record at hand, except the
statement that his parents were members of the Pres-
byterian Church, and that he early consecrated himself
to the Saviour, since in 1837, when he was nineteen
years of age, he was licensed to preach, and entered the
ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which
he served faithfully for sixteen years. During the years
1847 and 1848 he served the Methodist Episcopal church
in Lebanon, but soon afterward, when again stationed in
Philadelphia, he changed his denominational relations^
and accepted a call to the pastorate of a Presbyterian
church in West Philadelphia, which he served accept-
ably for eleven years. The lasting influence of his early-
pastorate in Lebanon is evidenced in the fact that St*
John's Reformed church, after some sixteen years' ab-
sence, extended a call to him, which he accepted ; he
entered upon his labors there in 1864. In this connec-
tion he accomplished the great work of his ministerial
life. The relation continued for twenty-one years, dur-
ing which time he was instrumental in leading many to
Christ, and also in edifying the members of the church;
while his active influence extended to various religious
and benevolent interests in society at large.
For many years he was treasurer of Lebanon Clas-
REV. THOMAS S. JOHNSTON, D. D. 361
sis, a body then of unusual size, which entailed a vast
amount of labor upon him. All this he patiently,
cheerfully and faithfully performed to the general sat-
isfaction of the members. He was also one of the guar-
dians of Palatinate College at Myerstown ; an earnest
friend of Bethany Orphans' Home at Womelsdorf, and
a member of the "Board of Control" of the Common
Schools of Lebanon. But his special interest was cen-
tered in the work of the Board of Commissioners for
Foreign Missions of the Reformed Church, of which,
for the past nine years, he was the honored secretary.
Upon resigning the pastorate of St. John's church, he
gave his whole attention, nearly, to the work of the
Board, recording its proceedings, corresponding with
the missionaries in the field, and visiting the various
churches, where invited, addressing them in behalf of
the cause which lay so near his heart, and for which he
gladly devoted the failing energies of his active and
highly useful life.
Although Dr. Johnston's early advantages were
limited, as stated above, yet he was always a diligent
student. His honorary degree of Master of Arts was
received from Delaware College, Delaware, and that of
Doctor of Divinity from Marysville College, Tennessee.
He was an impressive speaker.
The death of this well-known and highly esteemed
minister took place at his late residence in Lebanon,
Pa., on Saturday afternoon, June 11th, 1887, aged 68
years, 10 months and 7 days.
The funeral took place on Thursday afternoon, June
16th, in St. John's Reformed church, Lebanon, Rev. G.
362 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
B. Resser, pastor. The sermon on the occasion was de-
livered by Rev. B. Bausman, D. D., from Colossians
4 : 7, "A beloved brother, and faithful minister, and
fellow-servant in the Lord." The services were partici-
pated in by Rev. Drs. F. W. Kremer, G. Wolff, J. E.
Hiester, C. F. McCauley, Professor George F. Mull, and
the writer. All the members of Lebanon Classis, save
one, and representatives from Philadelphia, Mercers-
burg and Lancaster Classes were present. The large
congregation in attendance evinced the affection and
esteem in which the deceased was held by the commu-
nity at large. The interment was in Mt. Lebanon
Cemetery.
The surviving members of his household are the
widow, formerly a Miss H. R. Frailey of Philadelphia,
two sons and four daughters — Thomas and James C,
both physicians ; Mrs. S. P. Raber, Mrs. Robert Mar-
shall, Miss Mary and Miss Jennie. They share the
sympathy of many friends, in this the hour of their
great bereavement.
"Servant of God, well done !
Rest from thy loved employ ;
The battle fought, the victory won,
Enter thy Master's joy !"*
* " Ref. Ch. Mess.," July 6, 1887— obituary by the Rev. Da-
vid Van Home, D. D.
REV. MORRIS ZWINGLI HITTEL. 363
REV. MORRIS ZWINGLI HITTEL.
1857—1887.
Morris ZwiDgli Hittel was the son of Jacob Hittel
and wife Charlotte, nee Sassaman. He was born Sept.
the 3d, A. D. 1857, in Douglass township, Montgomery-
county, Pa. His mother died of consumption before he
had reached his fourth year. His only brother and
four sisters also passed, before him, the Jordan of death.
In the same home where he was born, he was also
allowed to die. For beauty and romance of scenery,
few places surpass or even equal it. On a high spur of
the Blue Mountain, in its southernmost ranges, the wide
and fertile Perkiomen Valley lies eastward, beautifully
mapped. Westward, rugged and still higher mountain
ranges afford the well sheltered background.*
In his infancy he was consecrated to the Lord by
baptism. Rev. A. L. Dechant being minister. At an
early age he attended Sunday school at the Huberts
church, where his parents were members. Before his
sixth year he already fancied himself a preacher, and
officiated in his own way, either alone or among his
little playmates. In such an early bend of mind there
« " Ref. Ch. Mess.," Nov. 9th, 1887— Obituary by the Rev.
Eli Keller, D. D.— Slightly abbreviated.
364 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
may be more than a mere inclination to imitation,
which is found in all children. It is more than likely
that he caught inspiration from his pastor, who,
especially at that time, so ardently labored in the Sun-
day school cause.
As soon as his age would allow he entered the public
schools, and at once, in learning, made laudable prog-
ress. Subsequently, he was sent to the Boyertown
Academy, under the care of Prof. Koons. In later
years he attended the Perkiomen Seminary, under Prof.
C. S. Wieand, where he not only received instruction,
but assisted also in teaching the lower branches of
science.
In his 16th year he attended catechetical instruction
and was confirmed as a communicant member of Ru-
ber's Reformed church by Rev. P. P. A. Hoffman.
From that time onward, he was known as a teacher in
the public schools, and no less also a teacher and office-
bearer in the Sunday school. For awhile he studied in
Princeton College, and in one of the schools entrusted
to him, Latin and higher Mathematics were taught.
From an early age he manifested great desire to gain
information. His own home was not without valuable
books, which he read diligently, besides also he bor-
rowed books from kind neighbors, and treasured, in a
faithful memory, their contents.
Gifted with a remarkable memory, he at the same
time had the ability of systematizing and applying what
he had once acquired. His very constitution, mentally,
forbade superficiality. Moreover, he had such full con-
fidence in the power of truth, that he was never afraid
REV. MORRIS ZWINGLE HITTEL. 365
to defend, publicly and privately, the convictioas of his
own mind. In debating societies, Sunday school and
devotional meetings, he always was a favorite speaker.
As teacher of the Sunday school Bible class he mani-
fested peculiar ability, setting forth Scripture truths in
a clearness and force which not only commanded atten-
tion, but carried with it, also, conviction. He took a
deep interest in political matters, discussing with ability
the perplexing questions of Political Economy ; yet
Theology pre-eminently engaged his mind and his
heart. The writings of Calvin, of Ursinus, of Ebrard,
and their kindred, stood (apart from the inspired word)
highest in his estimation. Scientifically, he had not
subjected himself to a regular training, for reasons out-
side of himself; but theologically, he laid a broad and
solid foundation. In the Theological Seminary of the
Eeformed Church at Tiffin, Ohio, he took a regular
course, and graduated May the 20th, 1885. The pro-
fessors, as well as fellow-students, were astonished at
his ability to grasp the truth, and aptness to make its
application.
May the 28th, following, Tiffin Classis licensed him
to the Gospel ministry, and ordained him as missionary
of the Lima Mission, on August the 2nd of the
same year. Lima is the county seat of Allen
county, O., and a centre of travel, trade and commerce.
A self-sustaining German Reformed congregation is lo-
cated there, and an English mission was founded years
ago. The Church at large had made sacrifices to secure
a good church building, and make a success also of the
English congregation. With all his native energy Bro-
366 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
ther Hittel entered upon the work, but for a combination
of difficulties, which need not be mentioned, after a
trial of nine months, abandoned the field, and returned
to his home.
In the Summer of 1886 he received a call from the
St. John's church of Chambersburg, Pa. This call he
gladly accepted, and at once entered upon his labors in
that new field. The congregation was in a crisis, being
forced to make room for the necessary English services
(they had been purely German), to keep their own
young members and gather up also new members. In
all this difficult work he was very successful. Old and
young, German and English, gathered around him con-
fidingly. Another nine months of labor were spent,
not in sadness and doubt of success, but with bright and
cheerful anticipations.
Now, however, clouds of another kind gathered
over this young laborer. Life's sun was speedily to
set. For years he had been afflicted with catarrh, and
had received careful treatment. Having contracted
colds again and again, the malady increased, and laid
firm hold on his whole system. It soon became evident
that catarrhal consumption had set in, and was making
rapid headway. His consistory urged him to return
home, to recruit, if possible, his health, and kindly
continued his salary. On his homeward way he
attended the Commencement Exercises of Ursinus Col-
lege, (June 22d). The fire of his eye had gathered
ashes, and the pallor of his cheeks told too plainly the
sad story of decay. Quietly and swiftly, as sinks the
natural sun at evening in a clear sky, so he passed
REV. MORRIS ZWINGLI HITTEL. 367
away. Willingly he would have remained much
longer, to labor for the Lord ; and willingly he laid
down his life — " not my will, but Thy will, be
done !"
He died on Sunday, the 31st day of July, 1887,
aged 29 years, 10 months and 28 days.
On Saturday, the 6th day of August, his mortal re-
mains were conveyed to the grave, at the Huberts
church, Montgomery county. The audience was very
large and solemn. Rev. Eli Keller preached a dis-
course on Hebrews 13 : 7, assisted by Revs. Hoffman
of the Reformed, Klein of the Lutheran, and Gottshal
of the Mennonite Church. Other ministers of different
denominations were also present, and acted as pall-
bearers. Among the mourners appeared two elders
from his congregation — Fathers Wicke and Schultz —
who took a deep interest in the sad obsequies. At the
grave, not a few tears were shed ; even the clouds
poured copiously, a drenching rain, as if in sympathy
with saddened hearts.
868 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
REV. GEORGE H. MARTIN, D. D.
1816—1887.
Dr. Martin was one of God^s noblemen. Gentle,
unassuming and pure-minded, he was a universal favor-
ite. His natural endowments, which were of a high or-
der, were appreciated and carefully cultivated, so that
they could be advantageously employed in the work of
the ministry. He was a good man in the fullest and
best sense of the term. In his ministry he was consci-
entious, earnest and successful. Every person esteemed
and loved the humble servant of God. He was honored
while living and mourned when dead by the brethren of
the Virginia Classis, as well as by the Church generally.
The following sketch of his life and ministry is from
the pen of the Rev. A. K. Kline, who has written well
and thoughtfully of his friend and fellow-laborer. We
use his tribute to the memory of the good man with but
few and slight changes, mostly verbal.*
Dr. Martin was born in Emmittsburg, Md., Octo-
ber 21st, 1816. After receiving proper instruction, he
was confirmed on the 28th day of May, 1835, by the
Rev. Elias Heiner, D. D., who was then pastor of the
Emmittsburg charge. Soon afrerwards he entered upon
* " Ref. Ch. Mess.," October 19th, 1887.
REV. GEOKGE H. MARTIN, D. D. 369
an Academical course at York, Pa. In 1839 we find
his name enrolled among the graduates of Marshall Col-
lege, Mercersburg, Pa.; in 1841 a graduate of the The-
ological Seminary of the Reformed Church. During
part of this time he was employed as a teacher in the
preparatory department connected with the College.
During the following year he was licensed to preach the
Gospel. For the first six years his labors were confined
to the southern part of Virginia Classis, principally to
what is now the Middlebrook charge. Then for a per-
iod of about seventeen years, until the Summer of 1865,
he served the Lovettsville charge, in Loudon county, Ya.
The people there still hold him in kind remembrance
for the good work. which he did among them.
In the Spring of 1865, when the contending armies
in civil war had laid down their arms, it was with regret
they looked upon the great ruin which had been wrought;
the beautiful valley of the Shenandoah in desolation,
fences and barns burned, churches turned into hospitals,
and even into stables. It was during this, uninviting
period that Dr. Martin came to W oodstock, Va. The
people were impoverished. They had to take a new
start in their temporal and spiritual work. The Re-
formed church at Woodstock was in a dilapidated con-
dition, unfit for holding services. With all these dis-
couragements, Dr. Martin entered upon the work with
pluck, energy and self-denial. Soon he gained the con-
fidence and hearty co-operation of the scattered members.
He called them together. Through him were infused
new life and energy. The project of a new church was
shortly presented, but sufficient means were not at hand
24
370 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
to build. Dr. Martin obtained leave of absence for a
time to visit congregations in Maryland and Pennsylva-
nia, and was encouraged by the good people, to the
amount of $4,500 for a new church. With such good
help the people erected the handsome brick building on
Main street. Much of this good work is due to the
self-denial and management of Dr. Martin.
During his pastorate of nineteen and a half years
the Harrisville church was also built. He gave his aid,
also, in building other small churches in his charge.
The charge grew, and became large enough for Classis
to divide, and make two charges of it. In May, 1884,
he resigned the charge to accept a call from Burkitts-
ville, Md. Then in December, 1885, he accepted a call
from the Timberville charge, and again returned to the
valley of Virginia. This charge he served with great
acceptance to the end of his life, although during the
last Summer, on account of failing health, he was unable
to fill his pulpit regularly.
Dr. Martin was a deep, discerning theologian, a
fearless contender for the faith once delivered to the
saints, a most earnest and active worker in the cause of
Christ. While he was not slow in rebuking the sinner,
he was always ready to encourage the faint-hearted and
cheer the disconsolate. He was a man of God, going
about doing good. There was a vein of restlessness in
him, having a great desire of doing more good. He
was much beloved by his parishioners, especially those
who knew and understood him bebt. He did not lose
sight of the advanced thinking in theology of the Re-
formed Church.
REV. GEORGE H. MARTIN, D. D. 371
The honor of Doctor of Divinity was fittingly be-
stowed, by Mercersburg College, June 26, 1876. Four
years after, the Potomac Synod chose him President at
the meeting at Woodstock, Va. The honors bestowed
were most meekly borne by him. We are sorry that
the days of his usefulness are ended ; but his words and
example of good will long be felt.
Esther Gailey became his life-companion May 16,
1844. This union was blessed with two sons, John W.,
now residing in Woodstock, Ya., and R. Nevin, em-
ployed at Washington, D. C.
During many years Mrs. Martin toiled faithfully by
the side of her husband, to whom she was most fondly
attached, and served him with the most tender care in
the hour of sickness. Of her it might be said, "O
woman, thou hast done thy part well. Thy work ought
not soon be forgotten by man. It will not be forgotten
by thy Master."
The much-beloved pastor, father and husband de-
parted this life, Sunday night, Sept. 18th, 1887. Al-
though brighter on that day than for some time past,
he spoke frequently of his end being near at hand. He
gave directions accordingly. He lay down for the
night ; shortly he arose again, engaged in prayer ; then
at the bidding of his Master he lay down for that
peaceful rest " which remaineth for the people of God,''
to be called forth on the blessed morning of the perfect
day. His age was 71 years, 10 months and 28 days.
On Tuesday, the 20th of September, his remains were
brought to Woodstock, where the best years of his man-
hood were spent. Here there was a large assembly in
372 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
the Reformed Church. The Rev. S. N. Callender, D.
D., of Mt. Crawford, Va., delivered a most excellent
and comforting sermon, based on John 11 : 25, 26, "I
am the resurrection and the life ; he that believeth in
me, though he were dead, yet shall he live ; and who-
soever liveth and believeth in me shall never die."
Revs. H. Tallhelm and G. A. Whitmore of the Re-
formed, and Rev. A. A. J. Bushong of the Lutheran
Church, and Rev. G. H. Zimmerman of the M. E.
Church, took part in the services.
As the sun was sinking beneath the western horizon,
his body was laid in the grave. The beautiful burial
service of our Order of Worship was read by Rev. A.
K. Kline, pastor loci, assisted by the Rev. W. F. Lich-
liter, of Lancaster, Pa.
REV. ALBERT GALLATIN DOLE. 373
KEV. ALBERT GALLATIN DOLE.
1885—1887.
Brother Dole was a truly good man, an acceptable
preacher and a faithful pastor. His pulpit preparations
were always thorough and his delivery solemn and
impressive. His whole heart being in the work, he
was always listened to with interest and profit. We
remember him with pleasure both as a student at Mer-
cersburg and as a fellow laborer in the work of the
Gospel ministry. We take the following sketch of the
deceased from the Reformed Church Messenger."^
Albert Gallatin Dole was born at Glassboro, New
Jersey, September 22, 1815, and was accordingly 72
years and 23 days old at the time of his death. His
parents were not rich in this world's goods, but Albert
was a promising boy, and withal, moral and religious.
He early became a member of the Crown St. Dutch
Reformed church, of Philadelphia. He was encouraged
by his friends to continue his studies ; and through
their help and some little aid from the Church he en-
tered Rutger's college, at New Brunswick, N. J. He
remained here several years. But becoming tired of
* Obituary by the Rev. Cyrus J. Musser — *' Ref. Ch. Mess.,"
Nov. 23, 1887.
374 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
the discouragements he suffered because he was poor, he
left his first Alma Mater, and entered the schools at
Mercersburg, Pa., where he graduated from the Theo-
logical Seminary in 1843.
Soon after graduating from the seminary he was
licensed to preach the Gospel, and became pastor of the
Boonsboro charge, Md. Soon after beginning his
ministry he experienced some trouble with his throat,
but being granted a vacation, he speedily recovered ; and
though his voice was never very strong, he suffered no
trouble on account of this thereafter. During the early
part of his pastorate he was married to Miss Maria
Jeffries, a teacher in one of the grammar schools of
Philadelphia; and for more than forty years they lived
a happy life. Dr. J. O. Miller was their groomsman.
Brother Dole often spoke to the writer of the happy
days of that early ministry and of the old time friends.
What changes since then !
At the end of seven years. Brother Dole was called
to Fairfield, Ohio, where he remained but one year, and
then moved to Milton, Pa. Here he found congenial
friends and a pleasant field of labor. After a] pastorate
of thirteen years full of toil, of prayerful perseverance,
and, who will question ? of fruitful results, he was in-
duced to take charge of a new interest in West Phila-
delphia. He labored here with varied success for four
years. All who know the history of our Church in
West Philadelphia, remember the peculiar elements
entering into the work at this time.
Before coming to Huntingdon, Brother Dole was
pastor at Shippensburg, Pa. Though he remained but
REV. ALBERT GALLATIN DOLE. 375
three years, and was then, through a sense of duty,
induced by his friends to accept a call to Huntingdon,
he always spoke in words of kindness and praise of the
people of that church. He came to Huntingdon in
1872, and remained pastor of the church here and at
McConnelstown until April, 1885, a period of thirteen
years. His service in the ministry was uninterrupted
and reached into the forty-second year.
After he retired from the active duties of the minis-
try, he continued with his wife and two daughters to
live in Huntingdon. The ladies kept a boarding-house,
and Father Dole, as he now came to be called, cheered
them by word and example to labor patiently in this
uncongenial undertaking. He took no thought for the
morrow, but was as cheerful as in the palmiest days of
his life. It was the pleasure of the writer to visit him
during these last two years. The prosperity of other
years was gone ; but now shone out the virtues of this
brother's Christian character. Life's work was done,
yet the Master had not relieved him. To go was easy,
to stay was privation ; but patiently he waited. Who
knows the meaning of that word, " waited f^ It may
come to embody the whole duty of the hour. It is easy
to say, wait ; but to do so is not easy, when it means
both hope deferred and privation besides. Father Dole
waited patiently. He did not complain, but was obe-
dient to his Lord, and worshipped him.
Brother Dole was a conscientious preacher, and
those to whom he ministered say, " a good one." He
was never sensational, but truly preached the Gospel, as
he learned it. His voice was not strong, nor was he
376 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
eloquent, after the ideas of some ; but there was in him
an earnestness and solemnity that imparted itself to his
hearers and made his address impressive. In prayer,
his co-laborers say, he excelled. That gift of the spirit
he had received. In all his ministry he faithfully
served his people. Year after year, summer and
winter, through heat and cold, rain and shine, he came
to stand before them.
Brother Dole's health was never very good. He
appeared to be constitutionally weak ; and yet he
labored many years earnestly and faithfully discharging
the duties of the ministry. At length, however, his
strength failed him and his end drew near. It was on
Saturday night, October the 15th, 1887, that Brother
Dole fell asleep and passed into the spirit world. It
was about midnight when he died. The day of his
life was ended and for him was ushered in the eternal
Sabbath with its light and glory. He was failing for
many months. He was weak, but suffered little pain.
He was confined to his bed a few days and his death
was unexpected at the time even to his family.
The funeral services were held at 2.30 p. ra., on
Tuesday, October 18th, at the home of the deceased,
and were under the direction of the pastor loci. Rev.
F. A. Rupley preached the sermon, and spoke in eulogy
of his departed friend. A committee appointed by the
Potomac Synod in session at Mechanicsburg, Pa., con-
sisting of Revs. C. J. Musser, D. S. Dieffenbacher, F.
W. Brown, and the elders John R. Lefferd, Josiah
Ritchey, and B. F. Fouse were present. The above
named ministers together with Rev. J. W. Pontius, of
REV. ALBERT GALLATIN DOLE. 377
our own Church, and Revs. D. K. Freeman, D. D.,and
Prideux, of the Presbyterian Church, and Rev. J. B.
Kidder, of the Baptist Church, took part in the ser-
vices. The remains were then taken to Philadelphia,
and on the following day buried in Woodland Ceme-
tery.
Mrs. Dole survives her husband and is with us aged
and in delicate health ; also the following children re-
main : Mrs. Kate Huff, Mrs. William Smith and Miss
Lizzie Dole, of Huntingdon, Mrs. Flora Hay, wife of
Rev. Chas. E. Hay, of Allentown, Pa., and John J.
Dole, of Woodland, Pa.
378 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
REV. JONAS MICHAEL.
1819—1887.
Rev. Jonas Michael was born in Champaign county,
Ohio, May 24th, 1819, and departed this life at Wina-
mac, Pulaski county, Indiana, December 19th, 1887,
aged 68 years, 6 months and 25 davs.
Having no personal acquaintance with our deceased
brother, and the material at hand, wherewith to prepare
a sketch of the life and labors of this faithful servant of
the Lord being scant, it will necessarily have to be brief.
Father Michael became a member of the Reformed
Church in 1842, uniting with the Reformed congrega-
tion of St. Paris, Ohio, when about twenty-three years
of age. Of his previous life we know nothing. His
education was obtained in the common schools of the
state, of which he seems to have made good use. He
served a while as an elder in the congregation. Soon
after uniting with the Church, he became deeply im-
pressed with the conviction that it was his solemn duty
to become a minister of the Gospel, and preach Christ
crucified to a perishing world. Making his desires
known, the Miami Classis directed him to study theology
under the direction of Rev. Jesse Richards, his pastor.
This he accordingly did for about two years. He was
KEY. JONAS MICHAEL. 379
licensed by the Miami Classis, October 8th, 1859, and
ordained by the same Classis as missionary to Williams
county, in the extreme north-western part of Ohio, No-
vember 4th of the same year. Subsequently, in 1860,
he transferred his labors to the north-western portion of
the state of Indiana, and organized the Winamac charge,
in Pulaski county, serving it eleven years, from 1860 to
1871. In his ministerial work he had to make his long
and tedious trips on horseback, and often through rain
and mud. His field of labor lay within a radius of sixty
miles. During his long and laborious labors he was per-
mitted by the help of the Master to organize ten congre-
gations, and organize not only the Winamac charge, but
also to arrange for the organization of what is known as
the Marshall charge. The Lord abundantly blessed his
labors, as may be seen by the number of members added
to his congregations. In 1879 he reports sixty-five con-
firmations, and in 1880, ninety-three, besides quite a num-
ber received by certificate.
At the end of the eleventh year of his labors in the
Winamac charge, he received and accepted a call to the
Liberty Centre charge, of the Tiffin Classis. His labors
in this charge continued for six years, from 1871 to 1877.
By his untiring zeal, the means for liquidating a large
indebtedness resting upon the church property were pro-
cured, and the debt was removed to his great joy and to
the joy of the members.
At the end of six years, he was recalled as pastor of
the Winamac charge, and served the charge six years,
from 1877 to 1883. In 1883 his health became so
much impaired that he had to cease from pastoral labors,
380 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
and was without a charge until his death, though preach-
ing still occasionally. His last affliction was one of
great suffering. Yet he bore it without murmuring or
complaining, saying that "Christ's suffering was more
than mine. I am only waiting for the Master to say,
*Come home.'"
He was one of the pioneer ministers of the Reformed
Church in northern Indiana, and was instrumental, as
already stated, in organizing ten Reformed churches.
He was imbued with an earnest missionary spirit, and
in love for his Master and his sacred calling, he was
true to his work. In his burning zeal and self-denial,
he sowed the seed which is yet bringing forth fruit in
the salvation of souls to the glory of God.
Father Michael could well say with one of old, "I
have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I
have kept the faith : henceforth there is laid up for me
a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous
Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only,
but unto all them also that love his appearing.''
His funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. J. C.
Beade in the Reformed church of Winamac, December
22nd, 1887, from the words, "For to me to live is
Christ, and to die is gain."— (Phil. 1 : 21.)
W. M. D.
REV. JEREMIAH H. GOOD, D. D. 381
REV. JEREMIAH H. GOOD, D. D.
1822—1888.
Jeremiah Haak Good was born in the town of Reh-
rersburg, Berks county, Pa., on the 22nd of November,
A. D. 1822. His parents were Hon. Philip A. and
Elizabeth (Haak) Good. He was one of a family of
ten children that grew up to manhood and womanhood.
Two of his brothers became ministers of the Reformed
Church, namely : Rev. William A. Good, who died in
Reading, Pa., February 9, 1873, in the 63rd year of
his age, and Rev. Professor Reuben Good, of Heidel-
berg College, Tiffin, Ohio, who graduated in the same
class in Marshall College with his brother Jeremiah,
and still survives. When but a lad, his father died,
and he found a comfortable home with a paternal uncle,
who resided in Reading, Pa., and was in quite good
circumstances. This uncle observing the high order of
intellect that his nephew possessed, decided to educate
him, and thus qualify and fit him for some eminent sta-
tion in life.
Accordingly he was sent to Mercersburg, Pa., in
1838, and entered the Freshman Class of Marshall Col-
lege in the Autumn of that year, before he was quite
sixteen years of age. He passed regularly through the
382 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
several classes of said college, and in September, four
years later, graduated with a class of nine young men,
nearly all of whom became prominent in the ministry
and educational work of the Reformed Church, or in
the legal profession. The valedictory address, then
regarded the highest class honor, was awarded to him
by the Faculty of the College. In the Fall of 1842,
the year of his graduation, and before he had quite com-
pleted his twentieth year, he was appointed assistant
teacher in the Preparatory Department of the College,
when the writer of this sketch became one of his pupils,
and one year later Mr. Good became Sub-Rector, which
position he held until the close of the collegiate year in
September, 1846. Whilst thus engaged in teaching in
the Preparatory Department of Marshall College, he
also pursued a theological course in the Seminary under
the instructions of Professors J. W. Nevin, D. D., and
Philip Schaff, D. D., whose renown as scholars and theo-
logians became world-wide. He graduated from this
school of the prophets in the Spring of 1846. Shortly
afterwards, he appeared before the Mercersburg Classis,
at its annual meeting held in the town of Bloody Run,
now Everett, Bedford county. Pa., made application for
licensure, was examined and licensed May 2, 1846.
In the Fall of the same year Mr. Good removed
West, having received a call to the Reformed church of
Lancaster, Ohio, and an affiliated congregation, and was
duly ordained to the work of the Christian ministry by
the Lancaster Classis of the Ohio Synod, and installed
as pastor of the charge.
Feeling the need of unifying the diverging tenden-
REV. JEREMIAH H. GOOD, D. D. 383
cies in the western portion of the Reformed Church at
that time, that were rapidly tending to disintegration,
he went to work, and, in 1848, succeeded in starting the
Western Missionary, now The Christian World, by the
authority and under the direction of the Ohio Synod.
He removed to Columbus, the Capital of the State, and
took charge of the editorship and general management
of the periodical, becoming at the same time the stated
supply of a small and strugajling congregation in that
city. He continued in the editorship of the Western
Missionary until 1853, when he vacated the editor^s
chair. The paper was then on a firm basis, and was
destined to become a permanent agency for good in the
development of the Reformed Church in the West.
Whilst residing at Lancaster, Rev. Mr. Good founded
an Academy, which received the support and patronage
of the prominent citizens of the place, hoping, no doubt,
that it might develop into a College, and thus become a
literary fountain, at which the youth of the whole west-
ern Reformed Church and others might slake their
thirst for knowledge. So also he became connected and
identified with the incipient Theological Seminary of the
Reformed Church in the West, commenced about forty
years ago, at Columbus, Ohio. In 1850, when the in-
stitutions of the Reformed Church in the West were
located at Tiffin, Ohio, he was chosen to fill the chair
of mathematics in Heidelberg College, in which posi-
tion he remained until 1869, when he resigned to ac-
cept the more important Professorship of Dogmatic and
Practical Theology in the Theological Seminary of the
Reformed Church, located at the same place, though at
384 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
a greatly reduced salary. The aew College had neither
a building adapted to its wants, an endowment, nor a
library. Much of the labor connected with the erection
of a suitable edifice for it devolved upon the energetic
Professor of Mathematics. A committee, of which he
was the chairman, was appointed to select a site and
prepare plans for the new College building. He
brought the Western Missionary with him from Colum-
bus, and was compelled to continue its publication as a
private enterprise. His temporary connection with the
Seminary had not yet ceased, owing to the fact that Rev.
Dr. E. V. Gerhart, the Professor-elect, had not yet ar-
rived and entered upon the discharge of his duties.
These, in addition to his regular professional labors,
kept Dr. Good's hands and mind busy almost day and
night. He bore up nobly and manfully under the bur-
dens incident to founding and establishing the literary
and theological institutions of the Ohio Synod, at Tiffin,
being blessed with a strong and robust body, as well as
with a vigorous and well-trained mind.
In 1869, as already stated, his labors were trans-
ferred from Heidelberg College to the Theological Semi-
nary, becoming President as well as Professor of Dog-
matic and Practical Theology of the institution, where
he remained and served faithfully and steadily, until
his final sickness unfitted him for the position. When
it was seen that his useful career was rapidly drawing
to a close — that his great physical and mental powers,
which had sustained him so well through his more than
forty years of incessant toil — were waning, the Synod
of Ohio, in 1887, with a feeling of true brotherly
REV. JEREMIAH H. GOOD, D. D. 385
kindness, and a sense of justice, created the office of
Emeritus President of the Seminary, and retired its
honored Professor of Dogmatic Theology to that office.
But he was not suffered to continue in this office long,
inasmuch as his work in the Church militant was ended,
and the Master called him to the rest and rejoicings of
the Church triumphant, a very few months later.
In 1868 the Board of Trustees of Franklin and
Marshall College conferred the honorary degree of
Doctor of Divinity on the Rev. J. H. Good — a worthily
deserved compliment and well-earned honor.
The Ohio Synod entrusted Dr. Good with many
important duties. Besides being chosen the President
of that body once or oftener, he was its Treasurer for
nineteen or twenty years, being re-elected from year to
year, until his health became so impaired that he could
no longer serve in that capacity. He was appointed
and served on committees to secure charters for various
Church institutions and Boards, to prepare a liturgy for
the use of the Reformed Church in the West, to pre-
pare a hymnal, &c. He was also a member of the sub-
ordinate committee or liturgical commission of the Peace
Commission that prepared the Directory of Worship,
which has since been constitutionally adopted by the
Reformed Church in the United States. He was also a
prominent and active member of the Peace Commission,
as a representative of the Ohio Synod, which met in
Harrisburg, Pa., in November, 1879, as directed, and
happily framed the peace compact on doctrine, cultus,
and government, inaugurated by the General Synod, at
its meeting in Lancaster, Pa., in 1878.
25
386 FATHEKS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
Dr. Good was the author of a number of books, pre-
pared for use in the Reformed Church, among which
maybe mentioned his and Rev, Dr. Harbaugh's transla-
tion of the Palatinate Catechism, Newly arranged Heidel-
berg Catechism, Children's Catechism, Prayer Book and
Aids to Private Devotions, and Church Members' Hand
Book.
Rev. L. H. Kefauver, D. D., in his discourse de-
livered at the funeral in Tiffin, which has been freely
made use of in preparing this sketch, says of the de-
ceased, speaking of his habits and character : " Dr.
Good was wonderfully constituted. We find men
greater than he was in some particular endowments, but
few are his equals in gifts that make a man's life as
symmetrical as was his. In his habits, he was methodi-
cal in all his work. System was a great object with
him. To this trait can be attributed largely the abun-
dance of his labors. He was prompt in meeting an en-
gagement ; scarcely ever known not to be on time. He
did not wait for an emergency to drive him to the post
of duty, but set to work promptly to discharge the duty
assigned him. We cannot describe this trait in his
character better than by saying, that he was not only
on time in his work, but ahead of time. Such a man's
work is generally well done. Notwithstanding by far
the greatest amount of Dr. Good's work was done in his
study, he was not a recluse. His retirement was caused
by the force of circumstances, and was not the result of
a selfish feeling. Wh(^n the restraints of the study
could be laid aside, and all tasks had been performed,
his social qualities came to the surface and were mani-
fest to an eminent decree.
REV. JEREMIAH H. GOOD, D. D. 387
Our brother was hopeful under the most discouraging
circumstances, when he was fully convinced that the
cause was a good one. This was the result of his strong
faith in an overruling Providence. His consciousness
that "There is a divinity that shapes our ends," was
very deep-seated. When any good cause in which the
Church was interested languished, his counsels were of
an encouraging nature. Indeed there have been in-
stances when his advice to go forward seemed reckless, and
yet he never betrayed the Synod or Classis or Board
into any serious difficulty.
Dr. Good was possessed with a logical mind. He
never jumped abruptly at conclusions; but in the smallest
matters reasoned them out. It was owing to this fact
largely, that his religion was not of the emotional type,
being ready always to give a reason for the hope within
tim.
Dr. Good had a philosophical turn of mind, and
though he did not invent a system of his own, he was
capable of grasping the speculations of others and re-
producing them in a clearer light than their real authors.
And yet he was eminently practical and utilitarian
in a good sense. He was quite a literary man, being
the author of a number of books, and a frequent contrib-
utor to our Church papers.
We will yet speak of him as a charitable man, and
then close this long list of gifts and endowments that
graced his character. While he was most pronounced in
his opinions, and firm in his convictions, he could respect
the opinions of others who differed from him. Intellec-
tual giant that he was, he was not such a slave to his
388 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
views as to suppose all others differing; from him must
be in the wrong. He was willing to allow to others of
opposing sentiment the possibility of being right. And
whenever the cause of truth required absolutely a union
of sentiment betw^een contending parties, he had the mag-
nanimity to do his part of the yielding the case. This
noble spirit manifested itself during the sessions of our
Peace Commission, when the best talent of the Church,
representing grave questions, was at variance. Threats
of dissolution were rife. The air resounded with cries
for separation. The Church that passed through the
fires of persecution, with scarcely smell of fire on her
garments, was about to perish by her own hand. Fan-
atics raved and could see nothing but heterodoxy in the
teaching of their opponents. Hopes for the return of
peace had vanished from the minds of the more timid,
when a halt was called. The Spirit of God hovered
over this chaos. Out from it came a voice that was por-
tentous of good, "Come, let us reason together.^^ The
solemn admonition was heeded. Peace Commissioners
were appointed. Dr. Jeremiah H. Good was one of that
galaxy. And a bright star he was too. There were
none that shone with greater brilliancy than he. With
all the powers of his great mind and the energies of his
soul, he defended the truth as he viewed it from his
standpoint. In the earnest discussion of controverted
questions, he found antagonists worthy of his steel.
The debates were earnest and animated throughout the
entire sessions of the Commission, but the white-winged
angel of peace hovered over it as an inspiring symbol,
and disputed points were amicably settled to the satis-
faction of the entire Church.
REV. JEREMIAH H. GOOD, D. D. 389
This grand result was reached, not because there was
no real cause for the difficulties that existed for a quar-
ter of a century. Upon investigation it proved too true
that, in the heated controversies of the past, great minds
were at variance upon vital ecclesiastical questions.
Nor did peace return to the fold of a distracted Church
through the indifference of her commissioners to the
truth. Every inch of the ground was warmly contested
by able representative men, and men of pronounced
views. The critical moment had come. The crisis was
upon the Church's representatives. Interested parties
were waiting, with breathless anxiety, to hear the ver-
dict of twenty-four men assembled in secret session.
The Commissioners looked each other in the face with
mingled expressions of fear and hope, (I speak from ob-
servation). Earnest debate destroyed asperity of expres-
sion and bitterness of antagonism, rather than increased
their force. And though the light of truth had not en-
tirely cleared the ecclesiastical sky that eye could see to
eye fully, heart began to beat with heart, and the fear-
ful chasm that had separated earnest Christian workers
and renowned scholars for years, began to close. For
the truth's sake men grounded the weapons of their war-
fare and buried within their own breasts their personal
preferences.
For men of great minds, erudite learning, fine schol-
arship, and deep convictions, as Dr. Good possessed them,
to do this was truly magnanimous. And without
that charity so minutely described by St. Paul to the Co-
rinthians, the task would have been a fruitless one. With
this grace, which is the greatest of them all, ruling in
390 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
the heart of our revered brother, he placed himself upon
record as the type of noble manhood, of a Christian sage
and a magnanimous defender of the faith. Peace to his
soul and rest to his body until the angel's trumpet calls
it from the tomb incorruptible, to join the souls waiting
in the vestibule of the heavenly mansions, that they
may unitedly enjoy the fruits of their combined labors
upon earth in thehighestseatsof God's celestial temple."
While pastor at Lancaster, Ohio, Rev. Good was
united in holy wedlock with Miss Susan Hubbard Root,
of Granville, Ohio, their marriage taking place on De-
cember 23, 1846. As the fruit of their matrimonial
relation, one son was born to them in Columbus, Ohio,
in 1849, who with his mother survives.
Rev. J. Ht Good, D. D., who had been in declining
health for some months, departed this life, at his home
in Tiffin, at 8 o'clock of the morning of Wednesday,
January 25, 1888, aged 65 years, 2 months and 3 days.
" Soldier of Christ, well done !
Praise be thy new employ ;
And while eternal ages run,
Rest in thy Saviour's joy."
W. M. D.
REV. MOSES KIEFFER, D. D. 391
REV. MOSES KIEFFER, D. D.
1814—1888.
Rev. Moses Kieffer was born May 5th, 1814, in
Franklin county. Pa. He was the son of Christian
Kieffer. The Kieffer connection is a large and re-
spectable one in Franklin county, and members of it
are found in many other sections of our country. The
ancestors of the Kieffer family emigrated to this country
from Zweibriicken, a town of Rhenish Bavaria in Ger-
many, about one hundred and forty years ago.
In early infancy Moses Kieffer was given to the
Lord in baptism by his Christian parents, who were
members of the Reformed Church. Growing up in the
bosom of a pious family, he was in due time indoctri-
nated into the truths of our holy religion; as set forth
in the Holy Scriptures and the Heidelberg Catechism,
and was received into full communion with the Re-
formed Church, in early manhood, by the solemn rite
of confirmation. As a lad, he already gave evidence of
an earnest desire to fit and qualify himself for his subse-
quent high and holy calling, as an ambassador of the
Lord Jesus Christ to sinful, perishing men. At the age
of seventeen years he left home and went to York, Pa.,
where the theological and literary institutions of the
392 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
Reformed Church were then located, and there entered
the Academy or High School connected with the Theo-
logical Seminary, under the management of Rev. Dr.
Frederick A. Rauch. When the High School was re-
moved from York to Mercersburg, Pa., in the Autumn
of 1835, he accompanied the removal, and became a
member of the Junior Class of Marshall College, when
by an act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania the High
School was changed, in 1836, into the aforesaid College.
In September, 1838, he graduated with honor in the
second graduating class of Marshall College, numbering
six graduates, all of whom have passed into the eternal
world, except Rev. Dr. E. V. Gerhart, President of the
Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Pa., and Rev. Dr.
G. W. Williard, President of Heidelberg College, at
Tiffin, Ohio. Having studied theology under Revs.
Dr. Lewis Mayer and Dr. Rauch in the Theological Semi-
nary, which had been also transferred in the meantime
from York to Mercersburg, he made application for
examination and licensure to the Synod of the German
Reformed Church in the United States, held in Phila-
delphia, Pa., from September 28th to October 7th, 1839.
Rev. Dr. A. H. Kremer, at present the venerable pastor
of the Reformed Church at Carlisle, Pa., was examined
at the same time. Their examination having proved
satisfactory, they were both licensed to preach the Gos-
pel ; and having received calls to pastoral charges, they
were referred by the Synod to the respective Classes,
within whose bounds their respective fields of labor lay,
for ordination — Moses Kieffer to the Susquehanna Clas-
sis and Amos H. Kremer to the Zion's Classis. Both
REV. MOSES KIEFFER, D. D. 393
were soon afterwards ordained to the work of the min-
istry, Rev. M. KieiFer becoming the pastor of the Wa-
terstreet charge in Huutingdoo county, Pa., and Rev.
A. H. Kremer the pastor of the Shippensburg charge in
Cumberland and Franklin counties, Pa. When the
Mercersburg Classis was formed, in 1840, by the Synod
at its annual sessions held at Greencastle, Pa., in Octo-
ber of that year, both these young pastors with their
pastoral charges became constituent parts of the newly
organized Classis.
Rev. M. Kieffer's first charge consisted of three con-
gregations, namely : Waterstreet, McConnellstown and
Williamsburg, in Huntingdon county. Pa. His first
annual report gives fifty-seven, his second thirty-eight,
his third twenty, and his fourth one hundred and ten con-
firmations, an aggregate of two hundred and twenty-five
confirmations, or an average of fifty-six confirmations
per year ; thus showing his successful labors in that
charge.
In 1843, after laboring four years in the Water-
street charge, he received and accepted a call from the
Hagerstown charge, then comprising the Hagerstown
and Salem congregations, and removed to Hagerstown,
Md., where he labored seven years. He then resigned
the Hagerstown charge, and removed to Reading, Pa.,
and became the missionary pastor of the Second Re-
formed church, of Reading. While at Reading, he led
his people in the enterprise of erecting the Second Re-
formed church edifice of that city. The gradual, but
sure growth of the congregation indicates the success of
his ministry in Reading.
394 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
Id 1855, he resigned the pastorate of the Reading
church to accept a call from the Synod of Ohio to the
Professorship of Theology in the Theological Seminary
at Tiffin, Ohio. This responsible position he filled with
ability and fidelity for a period of thirteen years. In
connection with his duties in the Seminary, he also
served the Church as President of Heidelberg College.
At the expiration of that period he resigned these offi-
ces, and removed to Sandusky, Ohio, where he supplied
the Presbyterian church of that city for a year or two.
In 1869 he moved to Chambersburg, Pa., and for a
year or two acted as supply to the Grindstonehill charge
and other congregations in that vicinity. In 1871 he
became the pastor of the Greencastle charge, and served
it until January, 1874, when he resigned the charge, in
order to accept a call to the Gettysburg charge, and was
dismissed to the Zion's Classis. This was his last reg-
ular pastorate. He served the Gettysburg charge for
nine or nine and one-half years, when Providence and
the Church permitted him to withdraw from the active
duties of the ministry, in which he had served so long
and well, and to go into partial retirement, as one who
had borne the burden and the heat of a long ministerial
day. His active ministry covered thus a period of about
forty-five years.
In 1848 the firm of M. Kieifer & Co. was formed
for the management of the publication interests of the
Reformed Church, then located at Chambersburg, Pa.,
the partners being Rev. Drs. M. Kieifer, S. R. Fisher
and B. S. Schneck. This arrangement continued for
fifteen years, until 1863, and proved a success.
REV. MOSES KIEFFER, D. D. 395
For the remainder of this sketch of the life and
labors of the Rev. Dr. M. Kieffer, we will let his pupil
and personal friend, the Rev. J. I. Swander, D. D.,
speak.*
"Christ is all and in all.'^ Col. 3:11.
Twenty-nine years ago this text was selected by the
deceased as most expressive of his sentiment as a Christ-
ian, a scholar and a theologian. A few of his devoted
students in the Seminary at Tiffin wished to express
their regard for their beloved teacher by having his
likeness lithographed with a view to retaining the
shadow after the substance of his being had passed into
the higher realm of more substantial things. One of
our number waited upon our venerable Professor and
asked him for his favorite Scriptural motto, for the
purpose of having it also engraved with his likeness,
for a remembrancer in time to come. That time to
come is now at hand. One of his pupils, called to assist
in the sad rites of this occasion, was directed for this
text to the lithograph portrait that hung upon the wall
of his study.
Dr. Kieffer did not select this text of Scripture for
any fine, round phraseology or poetry that may be con-
tained therein, but because it was the key-note of the
system of faith and thought, in which he lived and
moved as a student and teacher of both nature and
revelation. He had studied the scholastic systems of
theology and philosophy, as they ruled the faith and
thinking of the Middle Ages. He had marched through
the abstractions of Anselm and Abelard. He had made
* Funeral sermon in the "Ref. Ch. Mess.," Feb. 29, 1888.
396 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
himself familiar with the fundamental facts connected
with the glorious Reformation dawn of the sixteenth
century. He had read of the gradual tendency from
the Reformation to the reign of rationalism in Ger-
many, infidelity in France, ecclesiasticism in England
and fanatical humanism in America. He saw that
Christ was not enthroned in the heart of the popular
theology of the world, and turning with some others,
like Dr. F. A. Ranch, Dr. J. W. Nevin and Dr. P.
Schaif, to the truth as emancipated and taught in the
first part of the present century by the leading evan-
gelic theologians of Germany, his faith arose to a higher
consciousness and expressed itself in the text : " Christ
is all and in all."
Dr. Kieffer saw churchmen frittering their strength
away in discussing questions of Apostolic succession and
Church government. He saw sacramentarians disput-
ing about the manner of the divine presence without
any proper conception of the glorified divine-human
person of Him, who gives the sacraments their objective
contents for discerning faith. He saw sentimentalism
reveling in the nonsense of its own humanitarian dreams.
He saw rationalism, in the world and in the Church,
trying to account upon natural principles for every
mystery in heaven above, in the earth beneath, and in
the waters under the earth. He saw Romanism deny-
ing the supremacy of God's Word and the sufficiency of
God's grace in the illumination and justification of the
sinner. He saw formality sitting down like a pall of
moral death upon many of the Churches of the world.
In short, he saw that Christendom -was not generally
REV. MOSES KIEFFER, D. D. 397
conceding to Christ that organic centrality of position,
which He must have and hold before the great problem
of the world's history can be satisfactorily solved in the
salvation of the race ; and, seeing these things — seeing
this false trend of history, his vigorous mind and pious
heart turned and yearned for a more Christocentric reli-
gion, and a more Christological theology, which he
knew would never enrich the Church and bless the
world until Christ is acknowledged as all and in all.
That was a wise and kind Providence, which more
than fifty years ago led the lad, Moses Kieffer, to Mar-
shall College. Under the plastic hand of that young
philosopher. Dr. Rauch, he was brought into commun-
ion with the most vigorous minds and the richest evan-
gelical thought of Germany. As his mind was thus
started upon the process of its development in the right
direction, he naturally fell in with the Mercersburg
system of philosophy and theology, which he readily
embraced as the complemental element of his being.
Dr. Ranch's Psychology, Dr. Kevin's Mystical Pres-
ence, Dr. SchafPs Principles of Protestantism, and Dr.
Ebrard's Christian Dogmatics, were the books whose
contents found both relish and ready echoes in his soul,
as it eagerly reached after Christologic truth. Under
such influences his Christian manhood developed into
symmetrical proportions. His character as a man, a
Christian and a scholar was of a positive type. He built
upon a firm foundation, and reared the superstructure
with a happy blending of requisite elements; and as the
edifice arose toward the magnificence of splendor, it be-
came more apparent to all careful observers that for Dr.
Kieffer, Christ was all and in all.
398 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
He was not an author in the strictest sense of the
term, although while at TiflSn, he wrote a book of Dog-
matic Theology, and went to Chambersburg with the
manuscript with a view to having it published. The
next day Chambersburg was burned by the rebel army,
and the labor of years went up in smoke.
He was a frequent contributor to the Church Quar-
terly. The productions of his pen were read with de-
light and edification. He usually discussed subjects of
a semi-theological character, giving Christ the central
position in all the syllogisms of his reasoning. He con-
sistently held that science and true religion are correlated,
that they must be glorified together, and that such glor-
ification can come only from Him, who is all and in all.
Our most endearing relation to Dr. KieflFer was that
which we sustained to him in Heidelberg College and
Seminary. He took with him to Tiffin the principles
of philosophy which had been planted in his mind at
Marshall College and in his communion with the Mer-
cersburg school of thought. Only eight hours before
his departure to meet Dr. Nevin and the whole noble
army of martyrs in heaven, he expressed the satisfaction
he had in the consciousness of having kept the faith and
advocated its excellency in all the years and positions of
his life.
As a teacher Dr. Kieffer's manner of presenting the
truth to his class was much appreciated and admired by
the young men, who had the privilege of being numbered
with his disciples. He was promptly at his post of duty
in the recitation room, and usually ready to give his
pupils some of the beaten oil of the sanctuary. Moder-
399
ately given to speculative thought, he encouraged the
students to do a little thinking for themselves. He
told them that as long as they were in company with
Christ they could not go astray.
Dr. Kieffer was edifying and entertaining as a
preacher. He usually thought out his sermons and
delivered them without the use of either notes or manu-
script. As a rule his views were consistently held, logi-
cally developed, and clearly presented to his audience.
He usually held his audience by what he had to say,
rather than by his manner of saying it ; and yet he was
an orator.
Dr. Kieffer was faithful unto death. Having en-
tered the Master's service in his youth, he continued
therein through all the labors of a vigorous Christian
manhood, down through the approaching frailties of
declining years. His last ministerial work was done
in Sioux City, Iowa. Believing that he could render
further service for the Master, he stepped to the front
as a Reformed missionary at seventy-three years of age.
In the midst of his work he was stricken down with a
violent disease. Recovering in part, he started for his
home in the East. On his way he stopped with friends
in Sandusky, Ohio, where he remained in a state of
uncertainty as to the will of the Lord with reference to
his full recovery. He was not left long in suspense.
A little past midnight, on February 3rd, 1888, he was
called to his eternal home, aged 73 years, 8 months and
29 days. His remains were taken to Tiffin and buried
there.
400 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
He was twice married. His first wife was Miss
Catharine Smith of Emmittsburg, Md., a very amiable
Christian lady, with whom he had four children. Two
of these died years ago, and two sons survive, namely
Rev. Augustus Kieffer, of Colorado Springs, and George
Kieffer, of Baltimore, Md. Some years after the death
of his first wife, he married a second time. During his
residence at Sandusky, he married Mrs. Barney, the
widow of Charles Barney, late of that city. The union
was one promotive of their mutual happiness.
W. M. D.
REV. DANIEL Y. HEISLER., T>. D. 401
REV. DANIEL Y. HEISLER, D. D.
1820—1888.
Daniel Yost Heisler was bora in Long Swamp town-
ship, Berks county, Pa., June 1st, 1820. His parents
were George and Anna Maria Heisler. His father, al-
though poor, was naturally gifted, and, without any
special educational advantages, raised himself to a condi-
tion of usefulness and respectability in life. For many
years he served the public as Justice of the Peace, and
also as surveyor and conveyancer. His mother was a
daughter of the Hon. Daniel Yost, an excellent man,
after whom the grandson was named. She seems to
have been a most amiable and lovely woman, and was a
model mother, for whom the son ever blessed God. On
July 19th, 1820, Daniel was baptized by the Rev. John
Helffrich. When old enough he was sent to school reg-
ularly, and as much as a rural district of country per-
mitted. His first instructions were in the German lan-
guage, in which he soon learned to read the New Testa-
ment and Psalms. Subsequently he received instruction
in the English language. When about ten years of age,
the family removed to Huntingdon county, and located
at Trough Creek Furnace, where the prevalence of the
26
402 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
English language proved a means of considerably mod-
ifying his subsequent life. In 1832 the family removed
to McKeansburg, Schuylkill county, and about four
years later to Pottsville, where his father filled the of-
fices already mentioned, up to the time of his death in
December, 1848. After Daniel was twelve years of age,
he was employed for some years as clerk in his oldest
brother's store, and later in the same capacity in the
store of another individual in Pottsville, until May, 1838,
when he started to Mercersburg, to enter upon a course
of study in Marshall College.
During his abode in Pottsville, he first became de-
cidedly interested in the subject of religion, the power
of which wrought secretly and quietly in his heart. But
he was too timid to open his heart to any one ; yet within
himself he resolved not merely to serve his divine Mas-
ter in the capacity of a private member of the Church,
but also as a minister of the Gospel. At this time he
had not yet connected himself with the Church, owing
to the fact partly, that at that time neither the Reformed
nor Lutheran church of Pottsville had services in the
English language; and partly, because he felt too timid^
as just stated, to make known his wishes in this respect,
and partly, also, no doubt, because he attended divine
service regularly with his employer in the Presbyterian
church, where there was less stress laid upon Church
membership, than where proper views prevail of the
Church, as thebody of Christ These unchurchly notions,
he says, he naturally imbibed, and was thus kept outside
of the " Communion of Saints" for more than two years.
Having now fully concluded to devote himself to
403
the Gospel ministry, he sought the advice of his grand-
father Yost at McKeansburg, who greatly encouraged
him to proceed to Mercersburg, and place himself under
the care of the E-ev. Dr. F. A. Ranch, President of Mar-
shall College, for whom the grandfather entertained the
highest esteem. Following his grandfather's advice, he
went to Mercersburg in the Spring of 1838, and there
freely mingled with the students, generally members of
the Reformed Church, and soon felt himself very much
at home among them. He then and there attended a
course of catechetical instructions under the Rev. John
Rebaugh, at that time supplying the Reformed church
of Mercersburg, and was confirmed August 19th, 1838.
He prosecuted his studies as faithfully as he could in
the Preparatory Department, the College and the Semi-
nary, up to the Fall of 1844. Owing, however, to poor
health and the lack of funds, he was obliged to omit
part of the prescribed course of study. In the latter
part of his college course, he therefore omitted mathe-
matics, and took up some branches in the Theological
Seminary, being employed at the same time as tutor in
the Preparatory Department. As he did not wish to
burden his father, he subjected himself to the most rigid
economy, both in clothing and in food, especially in the
latter; for, boarding himself, he lived on the simplest
fare, often on nothing but bread and water. This man-
ner of regimen, however, proved very injurious to him,
and seriously affected his health, and doubtless, also, his
subsequent usefulness. After much sufiering and anxi-
ety, he completed his studies in the Autumn of 1844
His scholarship and grade in the institutions were always
404 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
good. He was so conscientious that he made it a point
to get out his lessons early and well. Although Mr.
Heisler did not graduate from Marshall College, for the
reasons already given, yet without solicitation and wholly
unexpected to him, the honorary degree of A. M. was
conferred upon him in 1852, by the Board of Trustees
of said Colle2:e. In 1882 Franklin and Marshall Col-
lege bestowed upon him the title of Doctor of Divinity,
a well deserved honor.
After concluding his studies in the Theological Sem-
inary, he visited by invitation the Huntingdon and Mc-
Connellstown congregations in Huntingdon county, and
spent upwards of a month in preaching to that people,
and then returned to his parents in Pottsville, where,
from exposure undergone, he was prostrated with a long
and tedious sickness. In January, 1845, he was exam-
ined and licensed by the Lebanon Classis, at a special
meeting held in the Tulpehocken church, Lebanon
county, Pa. The night previous he spent in tears and
the greatest agony, he tells us, keenly feeling the solem-
nity of the occasion, and the glory and dignity of the
office to which he hoped to be admitted.
After receiving licensure, he proceeded by invitation
to Fannettsburg, Franklin county. Pa., there to labor
as missionary. There he was ordained to the Gospel
ministry, April 13th, 1845, by a committee of the Mer-
cersburg Classis. The inducement held out was the
establishment of a select English and Classical school at
Fannettsburg, as a source of support, in addition to the
salary that the mission congregation could raise. This
project proving a failure, the salary was so meagre that
REV. DANIEL Y. HEISLER, D. D. 405
Rev. D. Y. Heisler felt himself necessitated to relinquish
the mission, and left after a stay of six months.
His next field of labor was Columbia, Lancaster
county, Pa. It consisted of the congregations at Colum-
bia and Marietta, with preaching points at Wrightsville,
Washington and Chestnut Hill. The membership was
small, and owing to bitter experiences with former pas-
tors, they had become utterly discouraged. He remained
in this charge about four years, during which time the
membership at Columbia was nearly doubled. A serious
hindrance to greater success was the lack of proper
church accommodations, which was to Pastor Heisler a
crushing discouragement. During the last two and a
half years of his pastorate at Columbia, he also preached
German in the city of Lancaster. He says that the
membership were kind to him and seem to have done
what they could to make him comfortable.
In 1850 he accepted a call to the Lewisburg charge,
where he labored for two and a half years with success.
Here he formed acquaintance with his life companion,
whilst boarding in the family of Elder John Reber, and
married Miss Leah, the youngest daughter of Mr. Reber,
who has proved a most excellent helpmeet to him in all
his subsequent ministerial life, and with whom he had
one son, who with Mrs. Heisler survives him.
In February, 1853, he entered upon his labors as pas-
tor of the Hummelstown charge in Dauphin county. Pa.,
consisting of the Hummelstown, Union Deposit, Schup's,
and Wenrich's congregations, with several preaching
points besides. This charge seems to have been in a
somewhat dilapidated condition when Rev. Heisler be-
406 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
came its pastor. Matters, however, soon began to as-
sume a more promising aspect under his faithful labors.
A new church was built at Hummelstown. His labors
were greatly blessed among this people.
In May, 1856, he accepted a call to the Sunbury
charge, and removed thither, expecting to find an easier
field of labor, and one better suited to the state of his
enfeebled health. But here he found neither less labor
nor greater pleasure, as he had expected. The condition
of the charge required an enormous amount of labor and
exposure, to use his own words, in order to build it up.
During the Summer season he frequently preached five
sermons a Sunday, namely, German and English from
9 to 12 o'clock ; German at another place at 1 o'clock ;
at a third place either English or German at 5 o'clock ;
and finally in the evening at Sunbury ; and all this time
without having time to take any food from morning un-
til late at night. He labored under discouragements,
but with success, until April, 1858, about two years.
Pastor Heisler, in his autobiography, speaking of
his ministry hitherto, uses the following language :
" Whilst yet a student, St. Paul, the apostle to the Gen-
tiles, the travelling herald of the cross, going about and
hunting up the lost sheep of the house of Israel in hea-
then lands, but especially also preaching to the pagan
multitudes outside of the covenant, and bringing them
into the fold of Christ, was the model of a preacher,
which stood continually before my vision, and urged
me, if possible, to imitate him at least, in his work of
preaching the Gospel to the poor and neglected ones of
earth. My own previous life may also have contributed
REV. DAXIEL Y. HEISLER, D. D. 407
to foster this spirit of compassion to the poor and des-
titude ones, and to make missionary labor among this
class of persons appear peculiarly desirable, and in
accordance with the merciful spirit of the Gospel. At
any rate, against my own strong inclination to settle
down in some fixed pastoral charge, and enjoy the com-
forts of a quiet home, which the generally poor state of
my health seemed both to require and justify, it became
my lot, and apparently my destiny, up to this time to
go from one broken down charge to another; and, like
Paul, to seek ever new spheres of usefulness among this
needy kind of persons. I became, therefore, by some
kind of inward and outward necessity an unsettled,
travelling preacher, a laborer in neglected and suffering
fields." •
In the Spring of 1858, he became pastor of the Re-
formed church in Bethlehem, Pa. The building in
which the congregation worshipped, was a union church,
and he could occupy it only half the time. For six
months he supplied the Piainfieid congregation, seven-
teen miles distant, preaching at Nazareth on his way
home, by permission of Rev. Dr. Hoffeditz, where soon
afterwards a congregation was organized and a church
built, the corner-stone of which he assisted in laying.
During this time, he also preached, by permission of
Rev. P. S. Fisher, at Quakertown, where he had the
pleasure of laying at least the basis of a congregation,
and assisted also at the laying of the corner-stone of
their new church.
At length the East Pennsylvania Classis connected
the Bath and Hecktown congregations with the Bethle-
408 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
hem charge, and his labors became more regular, and
were performed with pleasure to himself, and with man-
ifest satisfaction to his people. Many members were
added to the congregations. The Bath congregation
was more than doubled in membership, and the Bethle-
hem congregation was fully trebled in numbers. In
this charge he labored up to 1866, when the charge was
divided, the Bath and Hecktown churches forming a
new charge. He resigned the Bethlehem church with
the view of serving the new charge, which instead of
three hundred dollars formerly given, now offered him
a salary of one thousand dollars per year.
Whilst making the final arrangements to settle among
this people, he was earnestly besought to become the Su-
perintendent and take charge of the Orphans' Home,
then located at Bridesburg, Philadelphia, to which he at
last consented. Accordingly he with his little family
removed to the Home, August 30th, 1866, and took
charge of the large family there, finding nothing of any
account to sustain the orphans, except provisions for a
few days. Chills and fever were very prevalent among
the children. He went to work at once, and had the
grounds cleaned of all weeds and decaying vegetable
matter, and sprinkled them with quick-lime. The cel-
lars were also thoroughly cleaned out and whitewashed.
At the end of his first year's connection with the Home,
matters had considerably improved in it. The location,
however, was an unhealthy one, and it was concluded to
be best to sell the property and purchase another in a
more healthy region, and remove the Home to it. The
present location was secured, and the Superintendent and
EEV. DANIEL Y. HEISLER, D. D. 409
his large family of over one hundred orphans moved to
it in the beginning of October, 1867. Here much work
had to be done in order to put the large building into
proper condition for the Winter, it having been occupied
hitherto as a Summer resort, and many changes and
alterations had to be made. Besides the changes and
improvements necessarily made to the building, the sur-
rounding grounds had to be cleared of brushwood and
stones, the wet, swampy land of stumps and roots, and
properly ditched and underdrained, so that the grounds
would not only look better, but could be cultivated and
rendered productive. This was accomplished in a large
degree by his own labor. The result of this over-exer-
tion was the breaking down of his physical constitution
and general prostration of his powers. These things and
the general cares of the Home were wearing away his
life, and he became disheartened and handed in his res-
ignation to the Board of Managers during the Winter
of 1867 — 1868. After considerable delay, a meeting of
the Board was held in the Spring of 1868, to act on his
resignation, and it was unanimously resolved not to ac-
cept it, should he at all consent to remain, and he was
earnestly requested to do so. He continued in his rela-
tion to the Home during the Summer, but in the Fall
he once more gave in his resignation and insisted on its
acceptance. This was at a meeting held in October, and
it was accepted, to take eflPect as soon as another Super-
intendent could be secured. In the following month
Rev. D. B. Albright entered upon his duties as Super-
intendent of the Home, and Rev. D. Y. Heisler's con-
nection with it as such ceased.
410 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
It may be proper here to give the action of the
Board in accepting the resignation of Superintendent
Heisler, which was unanimously passed :
" The Board learns with sorrow, that Rev. D. Y.
Heisler, on account of failing health, feels himself con-
strained to resign his office as Superintendent of our
Home. During more than two years he and his wife
labored with great faithfulness and unwearied self-denial
for the interest of our institution, which is highly ap-
preciated by us, as well as by the friends of the Home.
Therefore,
Resolved, That we regret the necessity which com-
pels us to accept his resignation.
Resolved, That this Board tenders its hearty grati-
tude to Rev. D. Y. Heisler and his wife for their valu-
able services, which under many difficulties they have
rendered to our Home.
Resolved, That our best wishes attend him and his
wife with the prayer that the Almighty Father of the
fatherless may soon restore him to health again, richly
reward them for their services and lead them to some
other suitable field of labor.
Resolved, That we herewith invite Brother Heisler
to attend our future regular meetings as an advisory
member.'^
After withdrawing from Bethany Orphans' Home,
he spent a few months in visiting and preaching at dif-
ferent points, and finally in the following February he
became the supply of the Mont Alto charge in Franklin
county, Pa., consisting then of the Mont Alto and Fay-
etteville congregations. His health was quite precari-
REV. DANIEL Y. HEISLER, D. D. 411
ous at this time, and he had dark forebodings and fears
of being called away by death before becoming properly
settled, and of leaving his little family among entire
strangers. His pastorate at Mont Alto, however, was
blessed with restored health and a fresh lease of life,
with prosperity of the congregations under his care, the
good will of the people, and with outward contentment,
happiness, and comfort. During his abode at Mont
Alto, his leisure time was spent in writing for the vari-
ous periodicals of the Church, especially the Mercers-
burg Review. In the Spring of 1874, he prepared and
published his ^' Life Pictures of the Prodigal 8onJ^ For
nearly five months, during the latter part of his resi-
dence at Mont Alto, he was engaged in teaching in Mer-
cersberg College, in the place of Prof. J. B. Kerschner,
severely afflicted at the time He went regularly on
Monday morning to Mercersburg, and after completing
his labors, returned on Saturday, to attend to his pas-
toral duties at home. He taught German, Mediaeval
History, Old Testament History, Biblical Antiquities,
New Testament Greek (Exegesis) and Hebrew. Most
of these were in the Post Graduate Department of the
College.
June 1st, 1876, he removed to Easton, Pa., having
accepted a call to Grace Reformed Church on College
Hill, but recently organized and a mission. He found
plenty of work and cares in this mission field, but by
earnest and faithful efforts, he succeeded in paying off
the debt of the church edifice, and in increasing the
membership gradually from year to year. He resigned
the pastorate of this congregation, and ceased his labors
412 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
in it as pastor, June 1st, 1886, after ten years of service,
led thereto by increasing years and growing infirmities.
The membership had grown from about forty, when he
became pastor, to one hundred and thirteen communi-
cant members, when he retired. The summary of his
entire ministerial life is given as, 1,089 baptisms, 579
confirmations, 653 funerals, 254 marriages, and 7,491
sermons, addresses, lectures and pastoral visits.
Besides the literary labors of Rev. Dr. Heisler, al-
ready enumerated, he furnished a number of biographi-
cal sketches for McClintock and Strong's Encyclopedia.
In 1879, he wrote and published the " Wreathed Cross/^
a volumes of poems, which was well received by the
reading public. But the chief literary labor of his life
was the " Lives of the Fathers of the Reformed Church.'^
This work had been undertaken, as is well known, by
the Rev. Dr. Harbaugh, and continued to the third vol-
ume of the series. After Dr. Harbaugh's death in 1867,
the Synod of the Reformed Church in the United States,
at its annual meeting held at Pottstown, Pa., in 1871,
appointed the Rev. Dr. Heisler to continue the work,
which he did. This labor he performed from where
Dr. Harbaugh left off to the present sixth volume, pre-
paring most of the sketches contained in it.
Dr. Heisler's death occurred rather suddenly and
somewhat unexpectedly on Sunday afternoon at half-
past one o'clock, February 5th, 1888. He had been in
ill health for some time previous, being confined to his
bed about ten days, and suffering much to his last hour.
At the time of his death, he was aged 67 years, 8 months
and 4 days. The funeral services were held in the Third
REV. DANIEL Y. HEISLER, D. D. 413
Street Reformed church, of Easton,on Wednesday, Feb-
ruary 8th. The remains were taken to the church and
placed in front of the chancel railing. Nearly all the
seats on the first floor were occupied by friends of the
deceased, and the large number of clergymen from Eas-
ton and other places. The services were opened with a
hymn and the reading of the ninetieth Psalm, by Rev.
C. W. Levau, the successor of Dr. Heisler as -pastor of
Grace Reformed church. This was followed by the
reading of the fifteenth chapter of First Corinthians, by
Rev. T. O. Stem, a prayer by Rev. H. M. Kieffer, and
a hymn by the choir and congregation. Rev. Dr. T. C
Porter preached the funeral sermon. This was followed
by a short address by Rev. Dr. Klopp, of Philadelphia,
whom Dr. Heisler had received into the Church by con-
firmation thirty-five years before. The services were
closed with prayer by Rev. Dr. Reily, and benediction
by Rev. M. A. Smith. The remains were then taken
to Lewisburg, where the interment took place on the
following day. A second service was held in the Re-
formed church of Lewisburg, in the presence of a krge
number of friends and former parishioners. The pastor.
Rev. J. F. DeLong, preached the sermon from Psalm
116: 15. Rev. Dr. Peters followed with a short ad-
dress, and Rev. L. D. Steckel read an outline of the de-
ceased's ministry.
We shall conclude this sketch by using a portion of
the obituary notice in the Reformed Church Messenger of
March 7th, 1888, prepared by the Rev. M. A. Smith,
of Nazareth, Pa.
Dr. Heisler was a good preacher. Though not elo-
414 FATHERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH.
quent or popular in the common acceptation of the term,
his sermons were always interesting, instructive and edi-
fying, and gave general satisfaction, and were especially
appreciated by such souls as were hungering for the bread
of life. He was an excellent sermonizer, and had a pe-
culiar aptness for forming a good text disposition ; he
could almost at a glance see how a text should be divid-
ed so as properly to bring out its peculiar force. In
preaching he seized the central point of the text, and
developed its meaning from within rather than by mere
comments brought to it from without. His preaching
was always serious and earnest; he always spoke as one
who believed and felt what he said.
Dr. Heisler was an excellent pastor. He possessed
in a high degree that peculiar tact and prudence — Pas-
toral Klugheit — which are so necessary in a pastor. In
his intercourse with his people he was courteous and
kind, and without making any apparent effort to do so,
he succeeded in gaining the good-will and affections of
his people, and having once gained them, he rarely lost
them. He was especially at home at the sick-bed and
on funeral occasions. Having himself been schooled in
trials and afflictions, he knew how to comfort others in
their afflictions and trials.
In the language of Dr. Porter^s funeral discourse :
** Our deceased brother was a faithful servant of our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ. That is the highest eulogy
that can be given to any man. He was a sound theolo-
gian, and a man whose character was above reproach.
One particular trait of his character was his humility.
He did not seek praise nor honor.''
KEV. DANIEL Y. HEISLER, D. D. 415
Dr. Heisler was a liberal man. Soon after he en-
tered the ministry he gave a *' Plainfield Bond," as they
were denominated, towards the endowment of the The-
ological Seminary, and this bond of $100 he paid out of
a salary of about two hundred dollars a year or less.
When the property of Bethany Orphans' Home at Wom-
elsdorf was purchased, he was one of the six or seven
members of the Board who contributed one thousand
dollars each towards its purchase or payment. He often
aided beneficiary students by giving them money or sup-
plying them with books at reduced rates to sell again,
or by furnishing them with wearing apparel.
For most of the facts and data of his early life and
his ministry, used in preparing the foregoing sketch, we
are indebted to a manuscript autobiography coming
down to 1884. For more than forty-five years we
knew the deceased well and favorably, and can truly say of
him, that he came nearer fulfilling the trait of charac-
ter ascribed by the blessed Saviour to the Apostle Na-
thanael than any minister of our acquaintance : ^' Behold
an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile." As he so
often said of others, so say we in conclusion of him —
Requiescat in pace. W. M. D.
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